Materials for fire protection

1. An electrical storage device comprising:

a plurality of cells or batteries and a composite material, the composite material comprising:

an inorganic fibre core comprising inorganic fibres interlocked or entangled to form a coherent body resistant against separation laminated between at least two layers of phyllosilicate insulation, the composite material further comprising a barrier integral to the material to hinder ingress of humidity to edges of the inorganic fibre core, the composite material configured to insulate and provide fire protection for the plurality of cells or batteries.

2. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the barrier to the composite material to hinder ingress of humidity comprises a sealant impregnated into edges of the inorganic fibre core.

3. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the sealant comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric materials, inorganic materials, and mixtures thereof.

4. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the inorganic materials comprise colloidal inorganic materials.

5. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the barrier to the composite material to hinder ingress of humidity further comprises a protective coat adhering to at least the edges of the laminate of the inorganic fibre core and the at least two layers of phyllosilicate insulation.

6. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the protective coat surrounds and encapsulates the entirety of the laminate of the inorganic fibre core and the at least two layers phyllosilicate insulation.

7. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the protective coating comprises a polymeric coating.

8. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the polymeric coating comprises polymeric sheets heat laminated to the laminate of the inorganic fibre core and the at least two layers of phyllosilicate insulation.

9. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inorganic fibre core comprises at least 90% by weight the inorganic fibres.

10. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inorganic fibre core comprises a paper formed from the inorganic fibres which comprise alkaline earth silicate fibres.

11. A composite material, as claimed in claim 1 , in which the inorganic fibre core has a thickness greater than 0.5 mm.

12. The electrical storage device as claimed claim 1 , wherein the inorganic fibre core has a thickness less than 10 cm.

13. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least two phyllosilicate insulation each comprises a mica paper secured to a backing.

14. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the backing is a scrim or a glass cloth.

15. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein one of the at least two layers of phyllosilicate insulation has a thickness between 0.06 mm and 0.25 mm.

16. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 15 , wherein one or more layer of phyllosilicate insulation has a thickness in the range 0.08 mm to 0.15 mm.

17. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein on exposure to 600° C. for 10 minutes on an outer surface of one of the layers of phyllosilicate insulation, an outer surface on an opposing layer of phyllosilicate insulation has a temperature of no more than 120° C.

18. The electrical storage device as claimed in claim 17 , wherein on exposure to 600° C. for 20 minutes on an outer surface of one of the layers of phyllosilicate insulation, an outer surface on an opposing layer of phyllosilicate insulation has a temperature of no more than 120° C.

19. The electrical storage device comprising the plurality of cells or batteries, of which, at least some are separated by the composite material as claimed in claim 1 .

20. An electrical storage device comprising:

a plurality of cells or batteries and a composite material comprising:

an inorganic fibre core comprising inorganic fibres interlocked or entangled to form a coherent body having edges, resistant against separation, laminated between at least two layers of phyllosilicate insulation, the composite material further comprising a barrier integral to the composite material to hinder egress of humidity to, and sealing the edges of the inorganic fibre core, the composite material configured to insulate and provide fire protection for the plurality of cells or batteries.