Abstract: Closed pressurized storage vessels for holding liquefied gases and their vapors under high pressure at ambient temperature are provided on the interior surface with a covering of porous heat-conductive material, e.g. heat-conductive expanded metal foil for reducing or avoiding the risk of BLEVE of the vessel on accidental exposure of the vessel to a fire hazard. The filling serves to delay rise in temperature of the wall of the vessel, thus delaying weakening of the wall to the point where it may rupture under the increased internally-generated pressure.

Abstract: Platform elements each comprising a porous blanket material are deployed end-to-end to form a continuous traversable pathway through a pool of flammable fluid. The blanket material is heat-resistant and of thickness sufficient to prevent penetration of flame from its top surface to the fluid that is in contact with the bottom surface of the blanket.

Abstract: A container or other liquid holding means, e.g. a pipeline, for inflammable liquids is provided with a fire-extinguishing structure. This comprises a blanket of a porous, flame-permeable, heat-resistant material, e.g. expanded metal foil, which is supported for contact with the surface of the liquid e.g. on floats embedded in the blanket, so that the blanket extends in contact with substantially the whole of the liquid surface. In the case of a pipeline, the blanket may be supported adjacent the pipeline in a normally-empty catchment facility which is intended for retaining spillages or leakages of liquid from the pipeline. The blanket has large non-capillary interstices. On ignition of the vapor/air mixture above the blanket, the flame front recedes downwardly into the blanket and the flames become extinguished. This arrangement can reduce the fire hazard associated with large-capacity containers for inflammable liquids.

Abstract: The cutting of masses composed of multiple thickness of expanded foil is accomplished using reciprocating toothed blades that are deeply notched so that the strands of the expanded mesh enter deeply into the notches and are sheared through between the teeth of the blades.

Abstract: An explosive-suppressive mass comprises layers of expanded metal of which each layer is arranged in a selected orientation so that its mesh strands are inclined with respect to the mesh strands of the layers adjacent thereto. This gives economic and other advantages in the manufacture of the anti-explosive materials.

Abstract: An expander machine for expanding rotary slit metal webs is of the type having mutually inclined triangular expander arms over which the web is passed forwardly to spread the web and open out the slits to form diamond-shaped meshes. The angle between the arms is made adjustable, and the arms are mounted on a sub-frame which pivots about a longitudinal axis so that when the angle between the arms is adjusted it is possible by tilting the sub-frame to restore the output of expanded web to the horizontal plane. The horizontal delivery of the expanded web facilitates subsequent processing and reduces the risk of damaging frail expanded webs e.g. thin metal foil webs. Advantageous arrangements for gripping the edges of the web and conveying it are disclosed.