LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIAL MADE FROM CELLULOSE AND MINERAL FILLERS.

The preferred shape suitable for most applications is in the form of 1-4 mm spherical or rod-shaped foam particles which can be produced by a modified filament or staple rayon fiber production process. The mineral fillers, muscovite-mica and kieselgur, prevent the processing shrinkage of the cellulose and make it possible to produce a very lightweight foam material. By varying the degree of compaction, materials of density from 70 up to over 800 kg/m**3 can be produced. The advantages of these mouldings processed like wooden materials, are their fire resistance, low weight, good mechanical properties and low thermal conductivity and are favorable for applications in the automobile, furniture and the building industries. For figures see German text.