Abstract: Armour plate comprising a mass of cured resinous material having a face surface and a back surface, a tile layer comprising a single ceramic or metal tile, or a plurality of coplanar ceramic or metal tiles arranged in edge to edge relationship, entirely embedded in the resinous mass to a depth of at least 1 mm from the face surface, and a backing layer of impact resistant flexible material embedded or partially embedded in the resinous mass on the side of the tile(s) towards the back surface.

Abstract: An assembly of interlaced rods, suitable for use as embedded reinforcement in matrix materials, comprising first, second and third layers of rods, the rods of each layer being orientated generally parallel to one another, the second layer being located between the first and third layers, the rods of the first and third layers being longitudinally orientated in the same direction, with those of the second layer being longitudinally orientated generally at right angles thereto, the rods of the first and third layers being paired such that each nth rod of the first layer, herein designated rod n1, is paired with the nth rod of the third layer, herein designated rod n3, paired rods of the first and third layers being drawn together under tension by a flexible filament wound between them in a series of runs each comprising a forward and reverse sinusoidal winding which interlaces rods of the first and third layers, whereby each pair of rods n1 and n3 in the first and third layers is enclosed by and drawn together

Abstract: A method of forming a particle mass comprising at least two particle populations arranged in a desired graded relationship, comprising: forming in a container a first layer of dry particles constituting a first particle population having a desired particle size distribution, superimposing on the first layer a second layer of dry particles constituting a second particle population having a desired particle size distribution, the second layer being in direct contact with the first layer at a contact interface, and causing the particle mass in the container to vibrate to cause a desired degree of migration of particles from one or both layers across the contact interface under the influence of force experienced by particles in the mass. The particle populations may have different physical and/or chemical properties, so that the particle mass is functionally graded for subsequent fusion into a functionally graded material such as a ceramic or ceramic/metal composite.

Abstract: A composite panel having front and back faces, the panel comprising facing reinforcement, backing reinforcement and matrix material binding to the facing and backing reinforcements, the facing and backing reinforcements each independently comprising (i) one or more reinforcing sheets and/or (ii) one or more generally planar arrays of longitudinally arranged, spaced apart, reinforcing rods which are interconnected by means for resisting increase of the spacing distance between adjacent rods, at least one rod array (ii) being present in the facing and/or backing reinforcement wherein the means for resisting increase of the spacing distance between adjacent rods is transverse filamentary interlacing of rods in the array, the facing reinforcement being located on or embedded in matrix material adjacent to the front face of the panel, the backing reinforcement being located in a plane or planes substantially parallel to the plane or planes of the facing reinforcement, and being substantially coextensive therewith,

Abstract: A composite panel having front and back faces, the panel comprising facing reinforcement, backing reinforcement and matrix material binding to the facing and backing reinforcements, the facing and backing reinforcements each independently comprising one or more reinforcing sheets, the facing reinforcement being located on or embedded in matrix material adjacent to the front face of the panel, the backing reinforcement being located in a plane or planes substantially parallel to the plane or planes of the facing reinforcement, and being substantially coextensive therewith, and spaced therefrom by matrix material, the facing and backing reinforcements being interconnected to resist out-of-plane relative movement. The reinforced composite panel is useful as a barrier element for shielding structures, equipment and personnel from blast and/or ballistic impact damage.

Abstract: A blast-and projectile-impact resistant structure comprising a freight container which is at least partially clad internally and/or externally with a barrier structure comprising a single panel or a plurality of panels of matrix material incorporating reinforcement elements, the structure having means for human entry into and exit from the interior of the container located in a wall and, if necessary also in the barrier structure.