Oriented composite thermoplastic material with reactive filler
A composite material is provided which includes a highly oriented polymer produced by a drawing process and a particulate filler capable of reacting with a fluid to form a cementitious bond. The amount and degree of dispersion of the filler is selected to form interpenetrating polymer and cementitious networks upon reaction of the filler with the fluid.
1 . A composite structural material comprising:
a highly oriented polymer produced by a drawing process; and,
a particulate filler non-adhering with said highly oriented polymer capable of reacting with a fluid to form a cementitious bond;
said filler being present in an amount, and dispersed to a degree, sufficient to form interpenetrating polymer and cementitious networks in said composite material upon reaction of said filler with said fluid.
2 . The composite material as claimed in claim 1 wherein:
said particulate filler is a member selected from the group consisting of silicate cements and gypsum.
3 . The composite material of claim 2 wherein:
said particulate filler includes at least one of Portland cement and calcium sulphate hemi-hydrate.
4 . The composite material of claim 3 wherein said particulate filler further includes a non-reactive component.
5 . The composite material of claim 4 wherein said non-reactive component is wood sawdust.
6 . The composite material of claim 1 wherein the drawing process is a die drawing process.
7 . The composite material of claim 1 wherein the drawing process is a free drawing process.
8 . The composite material of claim 3 wherein the weight ratio of Portland cement to oriented polymer is between 37.5 wt. % and 67.5 wt. %.
9 . The composite material of claim 3 wherein the weight ratio of Portland cement to oriented polymer is 67.5 wt. %.