Process for manufacturing a composite material

Abstract

A process for manufacturing composite materials of high quality whatever be the respective amount, proportion and kind of constituents used in the starting mixture which comprises a binder made of two components capable of reacting with each other, at least one of these two components being in a liquid form, at least one filler, and reinforcing fibers, the binder being selected from the group of binders made of the following components: hydraulic cement and water; potassium and sodium silicate and water, colloidal silica and water; and organic resins and resin hardeners or catalysts. According to this process, all the liquid component of the binder is impregnated into an absorbing substance preferably consisting of vermiculite, which is compatible with the binder, the filler and the fibers. Then, the absorbing substance impregnated with the liquid component of the binder, is mixed with the solid component of the binder, the filler and the fibers in a mixer for a period of time sufficient to obtain the requested starting mixture in a semidry and homogeneous form, in which the fibers are entirely dispersed. The semidry mixture that is so obtained is then introduced into a mold and compressed under pressure for a period of time depending on the composition of the starting mixture and the predetermined properties of the composite material to be obtained. Last of all, the compressed material may be subjected to ageing and/or hardening as a function of the binder being used in order to obtain the desired composite material.