Barrier structure

Abstract

A barrier suitable for use in building construction materials. The barrier is formed from a plurality of members. Each member has a heat-resistant core or shell, a heat-reactive intumescent or flame retardant layer formed on an outer surface of the heat-resistant core, an antistatic and oil-phobic layer formed on an outer surface of the heat-reactive intumescent layer.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A barrier system comprising:
 a first layer comprising a plurality of members, at least some of the plurality of members having a heat-resistant core, a median coating formed on an outer surface of the heat-resistant core, and an antistatic coating formed on an outer surface of the median coating; and   a second layer comprising a rigid building construction panel adhered to the first layer.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said median coating is formed from a heat-reactive intumescent material. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said median coating is formed from a flame retardant material. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of members are configured for adhering to other buoyant members. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the rigid building construction panel comprises wood, steel, fiber reinforced polymer, or sheet rock. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a third layer comprising another rigid building construction panel adhered to the first layer so that the first layer is sandwiched in between the second and third layers. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said antistatic coating is oil-phobic. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said antistatic coating is oil-phobic. 
     
     
         9 . The barrier system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein at least some of the plurality of members have an adhesive outer coating configured for adhering to other members. 
     
     
         10 . The barrier system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the adhesive outer coating includes an epoxy resin. 
     
     
         11 . The barrier system as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a protective layer on at least one surface of the first layer. 
     
     
         12 . A building construction panel, comprising:
 a first layer comprising a plurality of members, at least some of the plurality of members having a heat-resistant core and one or more coatings formed on the heat-resistant core, wherein the one or more coatings are selected from the group consisting of a median coating and an antistatic coating; and   a second layer comprising a rigid building construction panel adhered to the first layer.   
     
     
         13 . The building construction panel as recited in  claim 12 , wherein at least some of the plurality of members are configured for adhering to other members. 
     
     
         14 . The building construction panel as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said median coating is formed from a heat-reactive intumescent material. 
     
     
         15 . The building construction panel as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said median coating is formed from a flame retardant material. 
     
     
         16 . The building construction and as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said plurality of members includes a plurality of sets of spherical members, each of the sets having a uniform, unique member radius. 
     
     
         17 . The building construction panel as recited in  claim 16 , wherein each said spherical member has a diameter in a range of approximately 1/16 of an inch to about four inches. 
     
     
         18 . The building construction panel as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the second layer comprises wood, steel, fiber reinforced polymer, or sheet rock. 
     
     
         19 . The building construction panel as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said antistatic coating is hydrophobic and oil-phobic. 
     
     
         20 . The building construction panel as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said antistatic coating is oil-philic. 
     
     
         21 . The building construction panel as recited in  claim 12 , wherein at least some of the plurality of members have an adhesive outer coating configured for adhering to other members. 
     
     
         22 . The building construction panel as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the adhesive outer coating includes epoxy resin. 
     
     
         23 . The building construction panel as recited  claim 21 , further comprising a protective layer on at least surface of the first layer.