Multilayer Textile Material with Mineral Reinforcement Fibres

Patent number: EP4684957
helicopter
17 / 02 / 2026
Patent news

Applicant(s): Airbus Helicopters [FR]; ISOMATEX [BE]
Inventor(s): Tigran Vartanian; Edwin Henry; Bernard Voss; Patric Boschet; Blandine Pascal; Frédéric Aimar; Pascal N'guyen
Patent number: EP4684957
Publication date: 2026-01-28

The invention concerns a multilayer textile assembly made of mineral reinforcing fibres, designed for use in high-performance composite structural components, particularly in aircraft and other vehicles.

Problem

Composite structural components used in demanding environments—such as engine compartments or battery housings—must withstand high temperatures, aggressive fluids, impacts, fire exposure, and corrosion.

Conventional composites often rely on chemical binders that may release harmful or flammable vapours under heat. Additionally, achieving an optimal balance between mechanical strength, fire resistance, chemical durability, and low weight remains technically challenging.

Isomatex schets

Solution

The invention introduces a multilayer textile assembly comprising:

  • An outer layer and a base layer
  • A core positioned between them
  • At least one subassembly within the core, each including:
    • A woven inner layer made of continuous mineral fibres
    • A felt layer made of discontinuous mineral fibres

The woven inner layer is arranged between the felt layer and the outer layer. This structured combination of continuous and discontinuous mineral fibres enhances structural integrity and protective performance.

Summary of Benefits

  • High mechanical strength
  • Enhanced resistance to heat, fire, and thermo-oxidative ageing
  • Improved barrier performance against fluids and flames
  • Non-combustibility and absence of toxic fumes
  • Excellent thermal stability (softening above 800–900°C; melting above 1150°C)
  • Reduced thermal flow and prolonged structural integrity during fire exposure
  • Lightweight solution suitable for aerospace applications

Overall, the invention delivers a safer, more durable, and high-performance composite solution for demanding environments.

This patent news was selected by

More news

Banner-Polymer processing
27 / 10 / 2026
Patent news

Polymer processing aid for polyolefin compositions

The present disclosure relates to polymer processing aids for polyolefin compositions and the methods of using the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to polymer processing aids that are substantially free of fluorine-containing compounds and their use in polyolefin compositions, like in linear low density polyethylene compositions, in particular to produce blown or cast films.

Polymer processing aid for polyolefin compositions
Banner-Protective Clothing (1).
27 / 10 / 2026
Patent alert

Protective Clothing

This month's patent alert highlights recent innovations in protective clothing and specifically firefighter clothing systems. Protective clothing is a rapidly evolving field that combines textile engineering with the search for ultimate properties combinations, such as comfort and protection against different hazards. Centexbel plays a key role in both the testing and certification of protective clothing. 

Protective Clothing
Banner-75jaar_CEO
23 / 10 / 2026
Press

75Y Centexbel

On Thursday, October 22, Centexbel celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special event at The Lab in Ghent. Customers, companies, researchers, innovation partners, and policymakers came together to reflect on 75 years of technological progress and, above all, to look ahead to the challenges that will shape the textile and plastics industries in the years to come.
 

75Y Centexbel
All news