Erosion resistant mounting material and method of making and using the same

A method of making an erosion resistant mounting material, the method comprising:

• providing a mounting material comprising inorganic fibers and a plurality of peripheral edges, the plurality of peripheral edges comprising a first peripheral edge;
• and
• applying a dryable solution comprising a reinforcing composition dissolved in a liquid vehicle to the inorganic fibers along the first peripheral edge;
• and
• substantially drying the dryable solution to provide a layer comprising the reinforcing composition inwardly disposed along the first peripheral edge, but not contacting a majority of the mounting material;
• wherein, on a dry weight basis, at least one compound represented by the formula
• (Mm+)d((ZpOrq(OH)r)n−)e.(H2O)f
• comprises a majority of the reinforcing composition, wherein
• each Mm+ independently represents a cationic species, other than H+, having a positive charge of m+;
• and
• (ZpOq(OH)r)n− represents a species having a charge of n−, wherein Z represents boron, and further wherein:
• f is a real number greater than or equal to zero;
• d, n, q, and r are integers greater than or equal to zero;
• e, m, and p are integers greater than or equal to one;
• and
• d times m equals e times n;
• and
• wherein the erosion resistant mounting material is flexible.