Abstract: A fibrous composite material comprising carbon fibres and chemically delaminated vermiculite lamellae and production of the material by applying a suspension (preferably an aqueous suspension) of the lamellae to carbon fibres and removing the liquid medium from the suspension. The composite material is useful for the insulation and fire-protection of substrates.

Abstract: A process for producing solid vermiculite products which are stable in water which comprises incorporating a source of ammonia or ammonium ions or a basic substance, preferably urea, in an aqueous suspension of vermiculite lamellae, shaping the suspension and removing water from the suspension by heating the shaped suspension at a temperature above 100.degree. C., preferably above 150.degree. C., such that ammonia or a basic substance is liberated within the suspension. The invention includes an aqueous suspension of vermiculite lamellae containing a source of ammonia or ammonium ions or a basic substance and a dry-powder mixture of vermiculite lamellae and a source of ammonia or ammonium ions or a basic substance.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition for the corrosion-protection and/or fire-protection of substrates comprising a dispersion of chemically delaminated vermiculite lamellae in an aqueous solution or dispersion of a film-forming polymeric binder. Preferably the vermiculite lamellae are of size below 50 microns, especially below 20 microns, and the film-forming polymeric binder is in the form of a colloidal dispersion or emulsion of the polymer in water such as is commonly called a latex.

Abstract: A method of preparing a porous sheet product which comprises the step of introducing a spinning liquid comprising an organic fibre forming polymeric material into an electric field whereby fibres are drawn from the liquid to an electrode and collecting the fibres so produced upon the electrode. PTFE and other fluorinated polymer mats produced by the electrostatic process are useful as electrolytic cell diaphragms, battery separators etc.