US Patent 7651592 Molded article

A molded article contains inorganic powder as a main component and further contains inorganic fiber, organic fiber, a thermosetting resin, and heat expandable particles, the heat expandable particles being present in an amount of 0.5% to 10% by mass based on the total mass of the inorganic powder, the inorganic fiber, the organic fiber, the thermosetting resin, and the heat expandable particles. The inorganic powder is preferably graphite. The inorganic fiber is preferably carbon fiber. The organic fiber is preferably pulp fiber. The thermosetting resin is preferably a phenol resin.