Sheet material for constructing high performance thermal screens

#The present invention concerns a sheet material for use in constructing high performance thermal screens, and to flexible or rigid thermal screens constructed from this material and particularly suitable for ensuring protection in the case of fire.

#It is already known to make flame resistant fabrics from carbonizable oxidized organic fibers capable of strongly absorbing the thermal infra-red radiation of a fire. Such fabrics are preferably of the mesh type and the said organic fibers may be based on polyacrylonitrile. Other fibers, such as aramides are provided to facilitate the weaving. Such fabrics are, for example, made and sold under the Trade name MONTSEGUR by La Societe Ariegeoise de Bonneterie, 09300 MONTFERRIER, FRANCE.

#The object of the present invention is to construct high performance thermal screens taking advantage of the thermal flux absorption properties of these flame resistant fabrics.

#FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic enlarged cross section one particular preferred embodiment of the material according to the present invention.

#FIG. 2 shows a particular use for the material according to the present invention.

#Sheet material according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 1 as comprising a pad 1 formed by the superimposition and joining of a plurality n (for example n=15) of layers 2.1 . . . , 2.i, . . . , 2.n of fabrics made of carbonizable oxidized organic fibers.

#Each layered 2.i is for example constituted of the fabric "MONTSEGUR", quality 7010, mentioned above and comprising 30% of aramide fibers and 70% of carbonizable and oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers. The layers 2.i are connected together by adhesive spots (not shown).

#On the side destined to be turned towards a heat source, for example a fire, the pad 1 is covered with a layer 3 of pure silicone, impregnating the adjacent superficial layers 2.i of the said pad 1. Similarly, on the side destined to be remote from the said heat source, the pad is covered with a layer 4 of endothermic filled silicone, equally impregnating the corresponding adjacent superficial layers of the pad 1. The endothermic filled silicone is, for example, that described in French Patent FR-A-2 632 866.