Patent ID: 7695657
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: B28B,B28C,C04B

Abstract:
1. Method for manufacturing articles in the form of slabs, the method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an initial mix consisting of a granulate with a selected and predefined particle size and a hardening binder, the granulate being chosen from ground stone materials and/or stone-like materials; (b) depositing the mix on a temporary support to form a layer having a predetermined thickness; (c) subjecting the layer to a predefined vacuum and simultaneously applying a compaction pressure together with a vibratory movement of predetermined frequency to obtain a compacted rough-formed slab; (d) hardening of the binder present in said compacted rough-formed slab; wherein the binder in step (a) comprises a dispersion of colloidal silica, the dispersion being an aqueous phase of particles of colloidal silica with a nanometric size; and wherein after step (c) the resultant rough-formed slab is heated gradually to a temperature of 90 to 120° C. until substantially all the water present in the slab has evaporated.