Abstract: A method of manufacturing sheet form insulation products from an aqueous slurry containing calcium silicate comprises the steps of pumping the slurry into a closed mould cavity in a platen filter press, at least one wall of the mould cavity being foraminous to an extent sufficient to allow the escape substantially only of fluid, stopping the pumping at a predetermined level of back pressure in the mould cavity, followed by closing the press to reduce at least one dimension of the mould cavity a prechosen amount.

Abstract: Bonded non-woven mineral fibre mat is made by a process including the steps of forming a foam from an aqueous solution or suspension of a binder, impregnating a non-woven mat with the foam and then selectively removing a major portion of the water from the mat prior to setting and/or curing the binder.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying an abrasive treatment to the outer surface of a length of tubular fibrous pipe insulation comprising a support, a mandrel rotatably mounted thereon for receiving a section to be treated, an abrading member at an abrasive treatment station, a mechanism for effecting relative displacement between the mandrel and the abrasive treatment station so as to present the outer surface of a section on said mandrel to the abrasive treatment station for abrasive treatment by the abrading member thereat, together with a member for rotating the section while so presented.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing lengths of tubular fibrous pipe insulation, the improvement comprising the provision for an abrasive treatment apparatus comprising conveyor means operable to receive such lengths mounted on their respective forming mandrels after setting the binder and to forward said lengths on said mandrels to an abrasive treatment station, an abrading member at said station to abrade the outer surface of said lengths and a member to rotate a length, on its mandrel, in contact with said abrading member while maintaining a controlled spacing between the mandrel and the abrading member.