Improved semi-finished wire cloth product and method of joining at least two of said semi-finished wire cloth products

Abstract

A method for joining two semi-finished wire cloth products comprising the following steps: providing a first and a second semi-finished wire cloth product having a respective first and second free hems; placing said free hems and interconnecting them at respective mutually overlapping or intersecting proximity portions; the step of interconnecting the first and second free hems comprises the sub-steps of forming at least one intersection slot in a proximity portion adjacent to the first free hem or the second free hem; forming at least one protrusion strip in a proximity portion adjacent to the second free hem or the first free hem; and inserting said protrusion strip into a corresponding intersection slot.

Description

[0001] IMPROVED SEMI-FINISHED WIRE CLOTH PRODUCT AND METHOD OF JOINING AT LEAST TWO OF SAID SEMI-FINISHED WIRE CLOTH PRODUCTS

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a semi-finished product based on a so- called "wire cloth" (or, in other words, a woven structure formed of metal elements suitably combined according to warp and weft), which can be used in various applications such as (but not limited to) filtering materials in industrial apparatuses, implementing architectural elements for supporting and / or covering and / or shielding the light and other environmental factors, or constructing complex objects in equally varied machinery or plants; the invention also relates to a method of joining two semi-finished wire cloth products, made, for example but not limited to, according to what hereinafter illustrated, which must be juxtaposed and mutually joined along at least one of their common perimeter sides.

[0004] As known, the processing of woven objects based on metal materials entails certain technological features due to the peculiar nature of the material that is subjected to such processing: in fact, the properties of strength, flexibility / deformability and interfacing with a so-called “weaving loom” of metal wires require an accurate determination of both the characteristics of the wire (such as: metal composition, diameter, crosssection, mechanical characteristics and so on) and the characteristics of the machinery on which the wire is to be handled (such as: power of the handling apparatus, weaving speed, achievable mesh density, ability to bend, hook and move the wire and so on).

[0005] On the other hand, textile semi-finished products made of (threadlike) wire materials find many applications in equally varied technical fields: for example, in addition to the possible and illustrative applications introduced above, the so-called “wire cloths” can be used to reinforce otherwise sagging structures, or as elements of personal protection such as clothing or footwear (and so on). As a particular example of what has just been generalised, reference can be made to machinery for the processing of polymeric materials, wherein it is not unusual to find “mesh” filter elements: usually, such filter elements consist of fabrics made of different types of metal alloy, such as annealed low-carbon steel or, according to an application / invention of the Applicant, of an appropriate intertwining of steel filaments belonging to the family known in the technical field of the invention as “high-carbon steel”.

[0006] Filter elements of the known type, such as those typically made of annealed steel with a low-carbon content, are generally characterised by drawbacks that may comprise a limited service life, a high tendency to geometric and mechanical degradation, as well a lack of constancy in their geometric characteristics over time (for example, the loss of flatness / tenacity and / or the loosening between the meshes of a wire cloth used as a filter in machinery where fluids of a heterogeneous nature pass through, such as flows of molten recycled plastic material); on the other hand, wire cloths made of high-carbon steel wires are also not free from certain drawbacks such as an intrinsic greater difficulty in processing and weaving.

[0007] More generally, both of the above-mentioned known types of semi-finished wire cloth products have intrinsic limitations in the “combinability” of their constitutive parameters, due, for example, to certain weave patterns (or “textile structures” as they may be called) and / or the fact that certain mesh densities, associated with predetermined wire strength characteristics, are practically irreconcilable.

[0008] In other words, the use of high mechanical performance wires makes it highly difficult, and in fact almost impossible, to produce particularly dense metal meshes / cloths, as the high metallic strength of wires makes them very difficult to weave.

[0009] Still regarding the subject of the drawbacks of the Prior Art, it should be noted that usually these semi-finished wire cloth products are produced by appropriate textile looms, and are “output” from the looms in the form of rolls or ribbons wound around a winder: these rolls or ribbons therefore have a “free hem” (corresponding to the end of the wire cloth winding in roll form) which often has to be connected to another free hem of another roll or ribbon in order to carry out various practical applications of the wire cloth itself.

[0010] Known-type joining techniques, whether performed by welding or bonding or mechanical interlocking, are still plagued by certain disadvantages related to the complexity of the operation and / or the unsatisfactory interconnecting force between the free hems of two ribbons or rolls: this also leads to a lengthening of operating times in all those fields of application where such an operation is necessary (such as, for example, in the use of wire cloths as filters for plastic recycling machinery, wherein the wire cloths are unwound with a certain time continuity through the outlet duct of the molten plastic and where, therefore, “roll change” operations are extremely important to guarantee the continuous operation of the filtering / recycling machinery).

[0011] In light of the Prior Art set-forth above, the object of the present invention is to produce a semi-finished wire cloth product that is able to overcome the drawbacks just explained.

[0012] In particular, the present invention aims to devise a semi-finished wire cloth product that can simultaneously exhibit satisfactory strength and mechanical-geometric consistency values and that can be woven according to a wide variety of weave patterns, and, at the same time, the present invention aims to devise a semi-finished wire cloth product that can be used as a filter element in various technical fields of application with greater and better efficiency as well as lower production and acquisition costs.

[0013] Even more generally, the present invention aims to make available a semifinished wire cloth product that can reduce production costs, reduce the risk of incorrect joining procedures (e.g. when this operation is carried out in the so-called “electro-splicing” mode) between two rolls where necessary (still, for example, when it is necessary to replace a wire cloth roll used as a filter in plastic filtration machinery) and that can be made in a wide range of variants.

[0014] At the same time, the object of the invention is to implement a joining method that is extremely fast, reliable and that provides a considerable degree of connection between free hems of adjacent ribbons or rolls of semi-finished wire cloth products placed adjacent to each other.

[0015] These and other objects are obtained by a semi-finished wire cloth product according to the present invention, having the characteristics shown in the appended claims and shown hereinafter in an exemplary (but not limiting) embodiment as well as in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] □ Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the semi-finished product in Fig. 1 according to a “touraille” weave pattern, represented in set of three of so-called “orthogonal projections”;

[0017] □ Fig. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the semi-finished product in Fig. 1 according to an “reverse touraille” weave pattern, represented in a set of three of so-called “orthogonal projections”;

[0018] □ Fig. 3 shows a possible embodiment of the semi-finished product in Fig. 1 according to a “reverse” weave pattern, represented in a set of three of so-called “orthogonal projections”;

[0019] □ Fig. 4 shows a possible embodiment of the semi-finished product in Fig. 1 according to a “reps” weave pattern, represented in a set of three of so-called “orthogonal projections”; and

[0020] □ Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show, in sequence, a possible embodiment of a joining method between two semi-finished products in accordance with the method shown in the present invention.

[0021] The present invention mainly relates to an innovative and original method of joining two semi-finished wire cloth products (which typically, but not limitedly, may be of a type in accordance with what has been described herein and / or what is claimed hereinafter) which is illustrated by way of example in the sequence of Figures 5 to 7. The method just mentioned essentially comprises the following steps:

[0022] - firstly, at least one first semi-finished wire cloth product (10) and at least one second semi-finished wire cloth product (20) are prepared (e.g. by weaving), in the form of a “ribbon” or “roll” or even “reel”, so that each of these (at least) two semi-finished products respectively has a respective first free hem (100) and second free hem (200); then

[0023] - the two free hems (100), (200) are placed next to each other and the first and second free hems (100), (200) are interconnected at mutually overlapping or intersecting proximity portions.

[0024] Advantageously, the method just introduced provides that the step of interconnecting the first and second free hems (100), (200) is implemented by performing the following sub-steps:

[0025] - at least one, and preferably a plurality of intersection slots (300) is formed in a proximity portion adjacent to the first free hem (100) or the second free hem (200);

[0026] - at least one, and preferably a plurality of protrusion strips (400) is formed in a proximity portion adjacent to the second free hem (200) or first free hem (100); and

[0027] - at least one protrusion strip (400) is inserted into a corresponding intersection slot (300).

[0028] Conveniently, the insertion of the protrusion strip (400) into a corresponding intersection slot (300) comprises a sub-step of determining a predetermined level of mechanical interference and / or a predetermined interlacing condition (by way of example only, by means of a folding of the protrusion strip 400 at the slot 300) between the threadlike and / or ribbonlike elements belonging to the protrusion strip (400) and the intersection slot (300), so as to stabilise the mechanical connection and thus in such a way as to obtain a durable junction between the two ribbons / rolls / reels of semi-finished wire cloth.

[0029] It should be noted, from a functional perspective, that this joining method, particularly in the implementation mode whereby all the intersection slots are engaged with all their respective protrusion strips, ensures a remarkable homogeneity in the distribution of tensile stresses along the free hems and is also implemented with very few and rapid operations (understood both as actual joining operations and as preparation operations of the two semi-finished products).

[0030] According to a further aspect of the invention, the sub-step of forming one or more protrusion strips (400) comprises a sub-step of forming a plurality of mutually parallel protrusion strips and preferably extending perpendicularly with respect to the free hem (100) or (200): for geometric consistency reasons and ease of mutual engagement, the sub-step of forming one or more intersection slots (300) will in such a case also comprise a sub-step of forming a plurality of mutually parallel intersection slots and preferably extending parallel to the free hem (100) or (200).

[0031] The present invention also relates to a semi-finished wire cloth product usable in a joining method according to any one of the preceding claims, which is generally denoted by the number 1 in the appended Figures and basically comprises a first group (2) and a second group (3) of threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements: one or more of these threadlike and / or ribbonlike elements are made, in part or in whole, depending on the contingent requirements, of metal material and are respectively oriented along a first and a second deposition direction according to at least one predetermined weave pattern (which will be illustrated in some examples below).

[0032] It should be noted that in the terms of the present invention, the first and second deposition directions are considered to be mutually transversal and typically, as occurs in the weaving of cloths (whether metallic or not), are considered to be mutually perpendicular according to the conventional “weft” and “warp” definition: it is understood, however, that the jargon terms of weft and warp are indifferently applicable to the first or second group (2) or (3), without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0033] Advantageously, in the present semi-finished product at least one of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements belonging to the first and / or second group (2, 3) (but typically, according to a possible embodiment of the invention, all of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements belonging to the first and / or second group (2, 3)) is made of galvanised steel and has a zinc-plating surface treatment: moreover, in accordance with the present invention, it is advantageously possible for a zinc content in the aforementioned zinc-plating to be comprised between 12 g / m2and 70 g / m2by weight (and for example, it may be comprised between 12 g / m2and 20 g / m2or it may be comprised between 20 g / m2and 50 g / m2), conveniently being 60 g / m2by weight in a possible embodiment of the invention.

[0034] According to an aspect of the invention, the zinc-plating (obtainable, for example, by electrolysis) applied to the steel wire makes the wire surface smoother and more uniform, aiding both the smoothness (and thus the ease of intertwining the wires together during weaving) and the ability of the semi-finished wire cloth product to be crossed by material flows, as it can occur when using this semi-finished product as a filter in recycled plastic processing machinery.

[0035] In addition, the zinc-plated steel wire chosen in accordance with the invention gives the wire a greater elongation capacity during its deformation (or rather, during the possible operational sub-step of changing its cross-section just before it is weaved according to one of the warp and weft patterns described herein or claimed below): in other words, during the so-called wire “flattening”, the zinc-plating performs an external surface protection function, working as a “sock” and thus preserving the material inside the wire from possible breakage.

[0036] Going into the details of the invention, note how at least one (and, for example, all) of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements belonging to the first and / or second group (2, 3) define these parameters:

[0037] - it consists at least in part of a steel belonging to the so-called “medium- carbon steel” family; - it has a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 1500 MPa and 2100 MPa; and

[0038] - it has an average cross-sectional diameter comprised between 0.20 mm and 0.45 mm.

[0039] Still in parametric terms and referring to some possible embodiments of the invention, it is conveniently possible for the average cross-sectional diameter of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements to be comprised between 0.25 mm and 0.45 mm, (in the spirit of the invention, for example, ranges of average cross-sectional diameter between 0.30 mm and 0.40 mm or even between 0.30 mm and 0.35 mm can be defined).

[0040] In the terms of the invention, the expression "average cross-sectional diameter" is intended to indicate an average diameter of the threadlike element in case the latter has a substantially circular or elliptical crosssection with a low elongation, or an average dimensional value correlated to an "average cross-section" of the ribbon-like element in case the latter has an elliptical cross-section with a high elongation or a polygonal crosssection (e.g. rectangular) by virtue of peculiar deformation drawing processes which may occur prior to the weaving of the semi-finished wire mesh product (1 ).

[0041] Further, in terms of possible parametric combinations related to corresponding embodiments of the present invention, it is conveniently possible that one or more (or even all of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements belonging to the first and / or second group (2, 3)) exhibit the following possible combinations of geometric / structural parameters:

[0042] - an average cross-sectional diameter of 0.20 mm and a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 2000 MPa and 2200 MPa; or

[0043] - an average cross-sectional diameter of 0.25 mm and a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 1900 MPa and 2100 MPa; or

[0044] - an average cross-sectional diameter of 0.30 mm and a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 1700 MPa and 1900 MPa; or

[0045] - an average cross-sectional diameter of 0.35 mm and a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 1600 MPa and 1800 MPa; or

[0046] - an average cross-sectional diameter of 0.40 mm and a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 1500 MPa and 1700 MPa.

[0047] Turning now to the aspect of constituent materials, it can be noted that the medium-carbon steel constituting a part or all of the semi-finished product (1 ) can comprise a carbon content comprised between 0.35% and 0.65% by weight and / or volume, (e.g., it may be comprised between 0.40% and 0.50% by weight and / or volume, or according to a further embodiment of the invention it can be 45% by weight and / or volume).

[0048] In terms of the type / geometry (or in other words, in terms of possible “weave patterns”) existing between the first group (2) and the second group (3), the following configurations known in the wire cloth weaving industry can be provided in accordance with the invention:

[0049] - "touraille" (otherwise known in the technical field pertaining to the invention as "twill dutch weave"); or

[0050] - "reverse touraille" (otherwise known in the technical field pertaining to the invention as "reverse twill dutch weave"); or

[0051] - "reverse" (otherwise known in the technical field pertaining to the invention as "reverse dutch weave"); or

[0052] - "reps" (otherwise known in the technical field pertaining to the invention as "plain dutch weave").

[0053] Conveniently, and still on the subject of the illustrative parameters of the present invention, the first group (2) and / or the second group (3) may define a so-called “mesh density”, measured transversely and preferably perpendicularly to an average lying direction of the respective threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements, which may be comprised between:

[0054] - 18 meshes (equivalent to 35 wires in 5 linear cm) and 253 meshes (equivalent to 495 wires in 5 linear cm), with a “touraille” or “reverse” weave pattern; or

[0055] - 12 meshes (equivalent to 24 wires in 5 linear cm) and 150 meshes (equivalent to 294 wires in 5 linear cm), with a “reverse” weave pattern; or - 18 meshes (equivalent to 35 wires in 5 linear cm) and 148 meshes (equivalent to 290 wires in 5 linear cm), with a “reps” weave pattern.

[0056] As a further embodiment of the invention, it can also be considered that the first group (2) and / or the second group (3) can define a mesh density (as defined above) comprised between 28 meshes (equivalent to 55 wires in 5 linear cm) and 135 meshes (equivalent to 265 wires in 5 linear cm), with a "reverse" type of weave pattern: for example, it is possible to provide the production of a product whose warp has a mesh density of 150 meshes (nit 294) and is made with brass-plated high-carbon steel wires having a diameter of 0.17 mm, while whose weft has a mesh density of 28 meshes 28 (nit 55) and is made with wires - either metallic or non-metallic, depending on the contingent requirements - having a diameter comprised between 0.20 mm and 0.25 mm (e.g. 0.22 mm).

[0057] The invention can further provide for the embodiment of an improved semi-finished product in which both warp and weft wires can be made of brass-plated steel: in such an embodiment, the diameters of these wires can conveniently vary between 0.15 mm and 0.60 mm, and exhibit a so- called "tensile strength" comprised between 1900 N / mm2and 3350 N / mm2, and furthermore, these wires can define both weave patterns (by way of non-limiting example only, "reps", "reverse", "touraille", "reverse touraille", etc.) and mesh densities (both in weft and in warp) falling within the ranges already shown in the present invention regarding the other possible embodiments of the improved semi-finished products described and / or claimed herein.

[0058] In accordance with the invention, the mesh densities just exemplified may be considered or measured in one or both of the typical “lying” directions of the first and / or second group of threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements (2) and / or (3): for example (though without limitation) in case the type of wire cloth corresponds to the so-called “reps”, the mesh density that can be detected or considered “in warp” may differ in quantity from the mesh density that can be detected or considered “in weft”. By way of example of what has just been indicated, and introducing (for the sake of clarifying as much as possible the jargon of the field of the present invention) in the present description the “mesh” units of measurement typical of the technical field of reference, it is possible to provide these further embodiments of the invention for merely exemplary purposes:

[0059] - a wire cloth constructed according to the “reps” weave pattern and defining a weft with a “mesh” index of 148 or 65;

[0060] - a wire cloth constructed according to the “reverse” weave pattern and defining a warp with a “mesh” index of 135 or 60;

[0061] - a wire cloth constructed according to the "touraille" weave pattern and defining a weft with a "mesh" index of 278 or 123; or

[0062] - a wire cloth constructed according to the "reverse touraille” weave pattern and defining a maximum warp with a “mesh” index of 253 or 113. As further embodiments of the present invention, it is possible for the first group (2) and / or the second group (3) to define a mesh density, measured transversely (e.g., perpendicularly) to an average lying direction of the respective threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements comprised between 116 meshes (equivalent to 228 wires x 5 linear cm) and 123 meshes (equivalent to 240 wires x 5 linear cm), or it is also possible that the first group (2) and / or the second group (3) define a mesh density, measured transversely (e.g. perpendicularly) to an average lying direction of the respective threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements, comprised between 116 meshes (equivalent to 228 wires x 5 linear cm) and 120 meshes (equivalent to 235 wires x 5 linear cm), irrespective of the type or "weave pattern".

[0063] The various possible combinations of compositional, geometrical and parametric characteristics outlined so far (and claimed below) can advantageously result in a semi-finished product (1 ) in which the first group (2) and / or the second group (3) cooperatively define an overall breaking load or tensile strength, measured along an average lying direction of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements comprised between 20240 N and 56434 N.

[0064] According to a further aspect of the present invention, at least one of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements may conveniently comprise a surface coating, which in turn may be of any nature and / or thickness depending on the contingent requirements: for example, the aforementioned surface coating may comprise an aramid compound.

[0065] In geometrical terms, it can be seen that depending on the intended use of the semi-finished product (1 ) and the choice of appropriate processing machinery (understood as both the weaving of the semi-finished product (1 ) itself and the possible pre-processing of the threadlike and / or ribbonlike elements) at least one of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements can have a:

[0066] - substantially circular cross-section; or

[0067] - substantially elliptical cross-section; or

[0068] - substantially polygonal and preferably rectangular cross-section.

[0069] The invention allows to obtain important advantages.

[0070] First of all, it should be noted how the peculiar construction architecture of the semi-finished product 1 , and the peculiar choice of its constituent materials as well as the relative parameters describing the chemical composition and / or physical dimensions thereof, allows for an efficient weaving structure associated with an optimal relationship between mechanical performance and production costs; this leads to the possibility of using this semi-finished product in different practical applications thus obtaining a synergistic improvement in both performance and management and purchasing costs.

[0071] In other words, it should be noted that the broad possibility of correlation between wire constituent material, wire diameters and mesh density allows for a wide range of semi-finished products, which can then be adapted to different filtration conditions in equally diverse machinery... or more generally can be adapted to different operating requirements in the most diverse machinery or environments.

[0072] It should also be noted that the parametric ranges illustrated in the present invention allow, in their various possible combinations (also "partial", i.e., intended as combinations of only two or more of such parametric ranges and not necessarily of all such parametric ranges: by way of example, one could think of a combination of the parametric ranges or single values of the "mesh densities" and of the parametric ranges or single values of the breaking load or tensile strength values) to obtain a "set of synergistic advantages" which are not to be found in known-type semi-finished products.

[0073] As far as the methodological part of the present invention is concerned, it should be noted that the structural, functional and procedural features illustrated herein allow for an extremely reliable and rapid interconnection between two semi-finished products in “roll” or in “reel” form: this also has a beneficial effect on the cycle times of the machinery and processes during which these semi-finished products are used.

Claims

CLAIMS1. method for joining two semi-finished wire cloth products comprising the following steps:- providing at least a first semi-finished wire cloth product (10), preferably in a ribbon or roll or reel form, said first semi-finished product (10) having at least a first free hem (100);- providing at least a second semi-finished wire cloth product (20), preferably in a ribbon or roll or reel form, said first semi-finished product (20) having at least a second free hem (200);- placing said first and second free hems (100), (200) next to each other; and- interconnecting the first and second free hems (100), (200) at least at respective mutually overlapping or intersecting proximity portions, characterised in that said step of interconnecting the first and second free hems (100), (200) comprises the following sub-steps:- forming at least one, and preferably a plurality of intersecting slots (300) in a proximity portion adjacent to the first free hem (100) or the second free hem (200);- forming at least one, and preferably a plurality of protrusion strips (400) in a proximity portion adjacent to the second free hem (200) or first free hem (100); and- inserting said at least one protrusion strip (400) into a corresponding intersection slot (300).

2. method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of inserting at least one protrusion strip (400) into a corresponding intersection slot (300) comprises a sub-step of determining a predetermined level of mechanical interference and / or a predetermined interlacing condition between threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements belonging to the protrusion strip (400) and the intersection slot (300).

3. method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sub-step of forming at least one, and preferably a plurality of protrusion strips (400) comprises a sub-step of forming a plurality of mutually parallel protrusion strips and preferably extending perpendicularly with respect to the free hem (100) or (200), the sub-step of forming at least one, and preferably a plurality of intersection slots (300) even more preferably comprising a sub-step of forming a plurality of mutually parallel intersection slots and preferably extending parallel to the free hem (100) or (200).

4. semi-finished wire cloth product usable in a joining method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:- a first group (2) of threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements made of metal material and substantially oriented along a first deposition direction; and- a second group (3) of threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements intertwined with said first group (2) according to at least a predetermined weave pattern, characterised in that at least one of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements belonging to the first and / or second group (2, 3), and preferably all the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements belonging to the first and / or second group (2, 3), is made of galvanised steel and has a zinc-plating surface treatment.

5. semi-finished product according to claim 4, wherein a zinc content in said zinc plating is comprised between 12 g / m2and 70 g / m2by weight, is preferably comprised between 12 g / m2and 20 g / m2by weight, and is even more preferably comprised between 20 g / m2and 50 g / m2by weight.

6. semi-finished product according to claim 4, wherein said zinc content is comprised between 50 g / m2and 70 g / m2by weight and is preferably 60 g / m2by weight.

7. semi-finished product according to anyone of the preceding claims from 4 to 6, wherein at least one, and preferably all, of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements belonging to the first and / or second group (2, 3) define these parameters:- it consists at least in part of a medium-carbon steel;- it has a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 1500 MPa and 2100 MPa; and- it has an average cross-sectional diameter comprised between 0.20 mm and 0.45 mm, preferably between 0.25 mm and 0.40 mm, and even more preferably between 0.30 mm and 0.35 mm.

8. semi-finished product according to any one of the preceding claims from 4 to 7, wherein at least one, and preferably all, of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements belonging to the first and / or second group (2, 3) have:- an average cross-sectional diameter of 0.20 mm and a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 2000 MPa and 2200 MPa; or- an average cross-sectional diameter of 0.25 mm and a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 1900 MPa and 2100 MPa; or- an average cross-sectional diameter of 0.30 mm and a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 1700 MPa and 1900 MPa; or- an average cross-sectional diameter of 0.35 mm and a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 1600 MPa and 1800 MPa; or- an average cross-sectional diameter of 0.40 mm and a breaking load or tensile strength value comprised between 1500 MPa and 1700 MPa.

9. semi-finished product according to any one of the preceding claims from 4 to 8, wherein said medium-carbon steel comprises a carbon content percentage comprised between 0.35% and 0.65% by weight, preferably comprised between 0.40% and 0.50% by weight, and even more preferably 45% by weight.

10. semi-finished product according to any one of the preceding claims from 4 to 9, wherein said weave pattern between the first group (2) and the second group (3) is of the following type:- “touraille” or “twill Dutch weave”; or- “reverse touraille” or “reverse twill Dutch weave”; or- “reverse” or “reverse Dutch weave”; or- “reps” or “plain Dutch weave”.11 . semi-finished product according to claim 10, wherein the first group (2) and / or the second group (3) define a mesh density, measured transversely, and preferably perpendicularly, to an average lying direction of the respective threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements comprised between:- 35 wires in 5 linear cm and 495 wires in 5 linear cm, said weave pattern being of the “touraille” or “reverse touraille” type; or- 12 meshes (equivalent to 24 wires in 5 linear cm) and 150 meshes (equivalent to 294 wires in 5 linear cm), with a “reverse” weave pattern; or- 35 wires in 5 linear cm and 290 wires in 5 linear cm, said weave pattern being of the “reps” type.

12. semi-finished product according to claim 10, wherein the first group (2) and / or the second group (3) define a mesh density, measured transversely and preferably perpendicularly to an average lying direction of the respective threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements comprised between 228 wires x 5 linear cm and 240 wires x 5 linear cm and even more preferably between 228 wires x 5 linear cm and 235 wires x 5 linear cm.

13. semi-finished product according to any one of the preceding claims from 4 to 12, wherein the first group (2) and / or the second group (3) cooperatively define an overall breaking load or tensile strength, measuredalong an average lying direction of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements comprised between 20240 N and 56434 N.

14. semi-finished product according to any one of the preceding claims from 4 to 13, wherein at least one of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements comprises a surface coating, said surface coating preferably comprising an aramid compound.

15. semi-finished product according to any one of the preceding claims from 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the threadlike and / or ribbon-like elements has a:- substantially circular cross-section; or- substantially elliptical cross-section; or- substantially polygonal and preferably rectangular cross-section.

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