Filler comprising fly ash for use in composites

A method for producing a composite, comprising the steps of:

• combining at least one of a polymer or bitumen with a filler to produce a filled polymer or filled bitumen,
• wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, ethylene copolymers, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylonitrile, polyamides, polyisobutylene, acrylics, polyacetals, chlorinated and fluorinated polymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorosilicones, polycarbonates, phenolics, polyesters, acrylic polymers, acrylate polymers, polyurethanes, alkyds, silicones, styrene-butadiene (SB) latices, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) latices, nitrile rubber, diallyl phthalates, melamines, polybutadienes, aramids, cellulosics, cellulose acetobutyrates, ionomers, parylenes, polyaryl ethers, polyaryl sulfones, polyarylene sulfides, polyethersulfones, polyallomers, polyimides, polyamide-imides, polymethylpentenes, polyphenylene oxides, polyphenylene sulfides, polysulfones, polyetherketones, polyethermides, polyaryleneketones, polychloroprenes, and blends thereof;
• and,
• wherein the filler comprises fly ash and has a particle size distribution having at least a first mode having a median particle diameter from 0.3 to 1.0 microns, a second mode having a median particle diameter from 10 to 25 microns, and a third mode having a median particle diameter from 40 to 80 microns;
• wherein the volume of particles in the second mode is greater than the volume of particles in the third mode.