Protective Panels

Abstract

A protective panel takes the form of a cement mortar panel made of cement mortar containing metal fibres and, optionally, polymer fibres. A core volume of the panel is reinforced by a network of 3D wire cells. The network of 3D wire cells may be defined by multiple layers of metal mesh that are fixedly connected or integrated together. Such protective panels are capable of resisting fire, explosion and/or blast impact.

1 . A cement mortar panel containing metal fibres and polymer fibres, wherein a core volume of the panel is reinforced by a network of 3D wire cells. 
     
     
         2 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the network of 3D wire cells is defined by multiple layers of metal mesh that are fixedly connected or integrated together. 
     
     
         3 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the core volume is surrounded, and impregnated, by the cement mortar. 
     
     
         7 . A cement mortar panel comprising a core volume reinforced by a network of 3D wire cells, wherein the core volume is impregnated, and covered on at least two sides, by cement mortar containing metal fibres. 
     
     
         8 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A panel as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the cement mortar also contains polymer fibres. 
     
     
         11 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the polymer fibres are polypropylene fibres. 
     
     
         12 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A panel as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the network of 3D wire cells is arranged in a staggered pattern. 
     
     
         16 . A panel as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the network of 3D wire cells has an opening size selected from one or more of: 8 mm, 10 mm, 13 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm, 20 mm or 25 mm. 
     
     
         17 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A panel as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the network of 3D wire cells has a wire diameter of around 1 mm. 
     
     
         20 . A panel as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the network of 3D wire cells in the core volume fully impregnated by the cement mortar. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A panel as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the core volume forms around 70-75% of the thickness of the panel. 
     
     
         23 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metal fibres are steel fibres. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A panel as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the steel fibres have a diameter <1 mm. 
     
     
         29 . A panel as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the cement mortar has a strength in the range of 90-200 MPa. 
     
     
         30 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1 , for use in fire and/or blast protection. 
     
     
         34 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1 , for use as a ground or road surface. 
     
     
         35 . A method of making cement mortar panels, comprising the steps of: securely positioning a network of 3D wire cells in a mould to form a core volume;
 preparing a cement mortar containing metal fibres (and optionally containing polymer fibres); and forming a panel by casting the cement mortar in and around the core volume so as to impregnate the network of 3D wire cells with cement mortar and surround the core volume with surface layer(s) of cement mortar.   
     
     
         36 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A panel made according to the method of  claim 35 . 
     
     
         39 - 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . A panel as claimed in  claim 7  employed in fire and/or blast protection. 
     
     
         57 . A panel as claimed in  claim 7  employed as a ground or road surface.