Patent ID: 8007697
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: C04B,Y02W

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing a thin slab, the thin slab being between 10-30 mm in thickness, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mixing cement, water, fluidizer and latex to form a cement paste, mixing being performed using mixing blades shaped to exert a cutting action on items being mixed; (b) coating a first plurality of coarse aggregate with the cement paste and a hydrophilic additive to form a first intermediate mix, each granulate of the coarse aggregate being a greater than 0.8 mm, the hydrophilic additive is dry carboxymethyl cellulose of the type which is fast-dissolving and resistant in a basic environment; (c) adding a second plurality of coarse aggregate to the first intermediate mix to obtain a second intermediate mix and homogenizing the second intermediate mix; (d) lining a temporary support or mould with a first sheet of plastic impermeable to water vapor; (e) distributing the second intermediate mix to form a material layer of predetermined size and thickness on the temporary support or in the mould; (f) applying onto the material layer a second sheet of plastic impermeable to water vapor; (g) vacuum compressing with an accompanying vibrating action the material layer thus enclosed by the first and second sheets to form a molded article; (h) sealing the first and second sheets of plastic along their perimeter to form an encased molded article; (i) transferring the encased molded article onto a rigid and flat hardening support; (j) permitting setting of the encased molded article until the encased molded article is suitably hardened for handling; and (k) curing for at least 7 days the encased molded article to form the thin slab.