A pressed thermal insulation body is made by a method comprising the steps of:
- (1) providing a dry composition consisting of:
- (a) 10 to 100 percent by weight of volatilised silica containing a dispersion
of 0.5 to 6 percent by weight of carbon;
- (b) 0 to 40 percent by weight of infra-red opacifier;
- (c) 0 to 50 percent by weight of particulate inorganic filler material; and
- (d) 0 to 25 percent by weight of reinforcing filaments;
- (2) pressing the dry composition from step (1) to form a body of a desired
shape and density; and
- (3) heat treating the pressed body at a temperature in the range from
400 degrees Celsius to 1000 degrees Celsius to effect hardening.
