Patent ID: 6468645
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: B27N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a high density plant fiber material from powdered plant fibers comprising the steps of:introducing into a mold a mixture comprising powdered plant fiber particles having a size of less than 500 microns (5Ã—10âˆ’4 m) wherein the powdered plant fiber particles consist essentially of natural plant fibers which have not been preformed, thermoset binding agent between at least 0.1 per cent and 50 per cent by weight of the plant fiber particles, and the thermoset binding agent is selected from the group of agents consisting of unsaturated polyester resin, polymeric diphenyl methane di-isocyante, methane di-isocyante, melamine, urea, phenolic formaldehydes and ester containing compounds; operating the mold at a temperature between 40Â° C. to 300Â° C.; applying a pressure of at least 500 psi (3.4 Mpa) to the contents of the mold; compressing the contents of the mold to an average density of at least 60 pounds per cubic foot (960 Kg/m3); and removing the contents from the mold.