Porous non-asbestos separator and method of making same

−1The present invention relates to an inert, non-asbestos separator and method of making same, the separator comprising an inorganic/polymer fibrid and agglomeration composite material containing from about 5 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of organic halocarbon polymer fibers together with from about 30 wt percent to about 95 weight percent of a finely divided non-organic particulate, which non-organic particulate is firmly bound in said composite fibrids and agglomerates; a natural gum thickening agent in an amount to provide a viscosity of about 6270 to about 590 cP at 0.22 sec; and an inert inorganic particulate powder whereby the inert inorganic particulate remains unbound from the inorganic/polymer fibrid and agglomeration composite, the inorganic particulate powder having a mean particle size of not greater than 1.0 μm and being present in an amount to provide a ratio of polymer fiber composite to unbound inorganic particulate in a range from about 1 to 25.