Abstract: A method of shaping a body, suitable for use in the building or furnishing industry, including: engaging a surface region of the body with a tool having a predetermined profile; effecting relative movement between the body and the tool in a direction generally parallel with a surface of said region, the body being formed of a material which is sufficiently friable as it is engaged by the tool during the relative movement to be removed but sufficiently rigid for adjacent material to remain attached, whereby said surface region is formed with a recess having a profile corresponding to the predetermined profile of the tool. The method is particularly suitable for profiling of plaster materials and rigid plastic foams such as phenolic foams.

Abstract: Foam laminates wherein the bond between the foam layer and the adjacent layer is enhanced by mechanical keying, which exhibit excellent surface finishes and are suitable in a wide variety of uses are obtained very simply in a single step and without the need for complicated molding equipment or expensive mold materials by a method comprising:(i) providing a solid body of foamed material comprising foamed synthetic resin with or without a filler, said body containing substantially an open-cell structure and having a face containing pores open to the surface;(ii) applying to or forming on said face a layer of viscous or pasty settable material;(iii) applying pressure to the layer to force some of the material to enter into at least some of said pores while in the unset state and simultaneously to mold the external surface of the layer; and thereafter(iv) causing or allowing said settable material to set whereby to form a foam laminate including a layer of set material which is mechanically keyed to said solid b

Abstract: Foamed resinous products having excellent fire resistance, high thermal insulation and good resistance to heat are obtained at temperatures as low as room temperature and without the need for an added blowing agent by forming a mixture of a phenolic resole having a specified reactivity, an acid hardener for the resole and, uniformly dispersed through the mixture of resole and hardener, at least 20% by weight of a finely divided inert and insoluble particulate solid; products capable of being employed as wood-substitutes are obtained when a dihydric compound is included in the mixture and the solid is talc, fly ash and/or a hydraulic cement.

Abstract: Foamed resinous products having excellent fire resistance, high thermal insulation and good resistance to heat are obtained at temperatures as low as room temperature and without the need for an added blowing agent by forming a mixture of a phenolic resole having a specified reactivity, an acid hardener for the resole and, uniformly dispersed through the mixture of resole and hardener, at least 20% by weight of a finely divided inert and insoluble particulate solid; products capable of being employed as wood-substitutes are obtained when a dihydric compound is included in the mixture and the solid is talc, fly ash and/or a hydraulic cement.