Imperial Chemical Industries Limited

Peter J Briggs

Kevin Thomas McAloon

Graham R Rideal

A fibrous composite material of essentially two-dimensional form in the form of individual fibres, sheets or layers comprising combustible fibres and lamellae of a layer mineral of size below 50 microns, a method for the manufacture of the fibrous composite materials by applying lamellae of a layer mineral to the fibres preferably from suspension followed by removal of the liquid phase of the suspension, and use of the fibrous composite materials for the fire-protection of substrates.

Fibrous material comprised of vermiculte coated fibers

A fibrous composite material in the form of individual fibres, sheets, layers or lightweight blocks comprising non-combustible fibres and lamellae of a layer mineral, a method for the manufacture of the fibrous composite materials by applying lamellae of a layer mineral to the fibres preferably from suspension followed by removal of the liquid phase of the suspension, and use of the fibrous composite materials for the fire-protection of substrates.

Fibrous material comprised of vermiculite coated fibers

An aluminum substrate comprising a layer of lamellae of a layer mineral, preferably vermiculite, in which substantially all of the lamellae are of size below 50 microns, production of the coating by applying a suspension of the lamellae to the substrate and removing the liquid from the suspension. The coating significantly upgrades the thermal insulation and fire performance of aluminum substrates even when only a few microns, for example below 50 microns and even below 10 microns, in thickness.

Delaminated vermiculite coated aluminum

A fibrous composite material in the form of individual fibres, sheets, layers or lightweight blocks comprising non-combustible fibres and lamellae of a layer mineral, a method for the manufacture of the fibrous composite materials by applying lamellae of a layer mineral to the fibres preferably from suspension followed by removal of the liquid phase of the supension, and use of the fibrous composite materials for the fire-protection of substrates.

Fibrous composite materials and the production and use thereof

A fibrous composite material in the form of a three-dimensional block comprising a mass of combustible fibres and lamellae of a layer mineral, a method for the manufacture of the fibrous composite materials by applying lamellae of a layer mineral, preferably from a suspension, to combustible fibres and forming the fibres and layer mineral into a three-dimensional block, and use of the fibrous composite materials as insulating materials and for the fire protection of substrates.

Laminated foamed plastics articles, especially polyurethane and polyisocyanurate rigid foam panels, are faced with a composite layer of vermiculite lamellae and metal foil, especially aluminum foil. The vermiculite lamellae are preferably size-graded to below 50 microns and form a coating on the metal foil which has a thickness preferably below 50 microns. The laminated articles have good fire resistance properties.

Foamed plastics laminates

Laminated foamed plastics articles, especially polyurethane and polyisocyanurate rigid foam panels, are faced with a fibrous composite material comprising fibres, especially glass fibres, and vermiculite lamellae. The vermiculite lamellae are preferably size-graded to eliminate larger lamellae. Preformed flexible layers of the fibrous composite material may be used to face rigid foam board in a continuous lamination process. The articles have good fire resistance properties.

The laminates have a core of rigid isocyanurate-based foam sandwiched between two facing sheets which are preferably non-combustible. Embedded in the core, substantially throughout its thickness, are multiple layers of a mesh of continuous glass fibre strands which is readily permeable to the foam forming ingredients. Each layer of the mesh is substantially parallel to the facing sheets. The laminates show advantages over laminates reinforced with single filament surface veil mat, single filament expanded mat, single filament random swirl mat and continuous rovings.

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Cheadle Hume, United Kingdom

Peter J Briggs