kasi u201d preferably an aqueous solution or dispersion of potassium silicate the silicate content of the fireskin of the invention is preferably greater than at or about 20 wt more preferably greater than at or about 60 wt particularly preferably greater than at or about 75 wt based on the dry weight of the fireskin in general the higher the silicate content the higher the heat and flame resistance if fire resistant fibres are used such as aramid fibres the silicate content can be lower when a composite panel laminate is made using the slurry or coagulation method the silicate content of the panel laminate is preferably between at or about 50 to at or about 98 wt based on the dry weight of the laminate the fibres may be soaked in a silicate solution or dispersion or the silicate may be applied to the surface of a sheet of fibres for example by painting spraying or application with rollers particularly rollers with pressure and allowed to penetrate the fibres advantageously a surface active agent or wetting agent may be added to the silicate solution or dispersion thus enhancing penetration of the silicate into the fibre examples of suitable surface active or wetting agents are non ionic surfactants particularly sorbitol anhydride fatty acid esters span non ionic fatty acid ethoxylates such as tinovetin u00ae 4483 jun an non ionic.