Fire resistance intumescent surface coatings

A new approach to render fibre-reinforced rigid composite materials flame retardant is undertaken by the utilisation of complex fibrous-intumescent chars. The use of flame retarded cellulosics fabric, surface coated with an interactive intumescent as an additional reinforcement in an otherwise conventional structure has been studied. Thermal analysis has shown that when heated, all components decompose by chemically interactive mechanisms leading to a char-bonded stmcture and the residual mass of char formed is higher than expected above 450 °C, even in the case where polyester resins are present. Not only are greater fiactions of char formed above 450 °C but the chars formed are more resistant to oxidation than the respective components (resin, traditional fabric and coated cellulose). Thus composites comprising these various components will have significantly improved fire performance. 

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