Diaphragms for a cell, in which the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal is carried out, having good permeability, shape and dimensional stability and good wettability characteristics with respect to the electrolyte are disclosed as well as a method for the manufacture thereof. The diaphragms are composed of a mixed sheet of a substantially homogeneous mixture of amphibole asbestos fibers and polyvinylidene fluoride fibrils connected together. To manufacture the diaphragms, an intimate mixture of polyvinylidene fluoride fibrils and amphibole asbestos is formed into a sheet and the sheet is heated to cause surface fusion of the fibrils.
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