FILLER FOR MOLDED ARTICLES

摘要

The present invention is directed to a powdered filler for use in curable molded or cast articles. The filler comprises one or more particulate components to be incorporated into the molded or cast article, the particulate components being encapsulated by polystyrene. Preferably the polystyrene and particulate components are produced from recycling previously used articles. In an aspect of the invention, a process for producing a filler for use with curable molded or cast articles is provided. The process comprises dissolving polystyrene and preferably dissolving and degassing expanded or foamed polystyrene in a suitable solvent, mixing into the dissolved polystyrene one or more particulate components to be incorporated into the molded or cast article, and drying the mixture, whereby the particulate components are encapsulated by the polystyrene. In another aspect of the invention a molded or cast article is provided, the molded or cast article comprising a curable base material having incorporated therein the powdered filler. In yet another aspect of the invention a process for producing molded article is provided, the process comprising adding the filler to a curable base material in a suitable mold to produce a molded or cast article.