| abstract |
A composite structural material suitable, for example, as a replacement for wooden boards, is disclosed. It comprises a dimensionally stable core material ensheathed in a dimensionally stable, laminar covering that is adherent to the core material. The laminar covering is comprised of at least one layer of parallel cords ( 19 ) bonded to at least one layer of a rigidified web material ( 10 ) selected from the group consisting of paper and cloth. Suitable core materials include polyurethane foam ( 38 ), optionally filled with particles ( 32 ) of granulated rubber, expanded perlite, expandable polymer beads, and/or glass microspheres. The parallel cords ( 19 ) preferably are supplied in the form of a strip of polyester cloth, as the warp cords thereof. The web material ( 10 ) preferably is kraft paper that is rigidified with an epoxy resin. |