Abstract: A method of fabricating an artifact (15) includes treating natural fibers (110) with a non-halogenated flame retardant agent (120), the fibers (110) also being treated with a smoke suppressant (120). At least one pre-preg is formed (170, 180) from the treated natural fibers and from a resin composition (160) including a smoke suppressant (150) admixed therein (160). An uncured artifact is formed from a core or substrate (12) and the pre-preg, which provides a skin, and is cured (210). A non-fibrous silicate fire resistant material (190, 230) is introduced by: (i) admixing the fire resistant material with the resin composition, and/or (ii) applying the fire resistant material to an outer surface of the pre-preg or an outer surface of the skin of the uncured artifact, and/or (iii) applying the fire resistant material to an outer surface of the skin of the cured artifact. The invention extends to a flame-proofed artifact (15).

Abstract: A method of fabricating an artefact (15) includes treating natural fibres (1 10) with a non-halogenated flame retardant agent (120), the fibres (1 10) also being treated with a smoke suppressant (120). At least one pre-preg is formed (170, 180) from the treated natural fibres and from a resin composition (160) including a smoke suppressant (150) admixed therein (160). An uncured artefact is formed from a core or substrate (12) and the pre-preg, which provides a skin, and is cured (210). A non-fibrous silicate fire resistant material (190, 230) is introduced by: (i) admixing the fire resistant material with the resin composition, and/or (ii) applying the fire resistant material to an outer surface of the pre-preg or an outer surface of the skin of the uncured artefact, and/or (iii) applying the fire resistant material to an outer surface of the skin of the cured artefact. The invention extends to a flame-proofed artefact (15).

Abstract: A pipeline for conducting air for air conditioning in aircrafts includes a body portion formed with foamed plastics material or with a dense plastics material. The body portion defines a longitudinal axis and includes an outer surface carrying a wrapping for reinforcing the pipeline. The wrapping includes a plurality of adjacent contacting layers formed by at least one linear reinforcing element wound into a plurality of windings, with adjacent layers having windings angled in opposite directions to form a net-like structure of the wrapping. At least one of the spacing between the windings along the longitudinal axis or the angle of slope between the windings and the longitudinal axis varies in certain sections to change the winding density as a function of local mechanical load requirements on the pipeline.