Fire retardant coating

Handbook of Fire Retardant Coatings and Fire Testing Services, Technomic, Lancaster, Pa., 1990. 

Some of the chemicals mentioned above and others, such as chlorinated mbber or paraffin, antimony trioxide, calcium carbonate, calcium borate, pentaerythrithol, alumina trihydrate, titanium dioxide, and urea—melamine—formaldehyde resin, may be used to formulate fire retardant coatings. Many of these coatings are formulated in such a way that the films intumesce (expand) when exposed to fire, thus insulating the wood surface from further thermal exposure. Fire retardant coatings are mostly used for existing constmction. 

Fire-retardant coatings currently in use contain a number of ingredients that are either considered to be toxic heavy metals or on the hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) list. In addition, there is concern that the use of halogenated chemicals in these coatings and other products will be banned in the future. A recent paper contains the details of two reformulations programs. The first is a reformulation of a low VOC chlorinated alkyd coating and the second is a reformulation of a chlorinated emulsion system. Both programs successfully reduced the heavy metals and lowered the HAPs to an acceptable level (Dahm, 1996). 

Certain chemicals intumesce and form a heat-insulating mat of spongy tough cells. Experiments with various fire-retardant coatings and paints indicate this to be the most effective type of protection so far developed. If the paint qualities can be improved to meet requirements for high-quality exterior paint without sacrificing any of the fire-retardant ability, there is no question of a wide market for the product. 

Van Kleeck, A., Forest Products Laboratory, Fire-Retarding Coatings, ... 

Fire-Retardant Coatings on Acoustical Surfaces and Test Methods for Their Evaluation... 

Several tests have been developed to evaluate fire-retardant coatings on acoustical fiberboard surfaces. These tests are being reviewed and modified where there is necessity for standardization of the test. 

To supplement laboratory tests, practical trials of this paint were made at the Navy Fire Fighter Schools at Norfolk, Va., and Boston, Mass. These trials were somewhat crudely conceived, as might be expected from the state of knowledge at that time, but the satisfactory performance demonstrated by the fire-retardant paint was sufficient, under the pressure of circumstances then existing, to warrant its adoption. Actual experience has amply demonstrated that it functions exceptionally well as a fire-retardant coating, but the same experience has equally shown the need for improvement in ease of cleaning. 

I he words fire-retardant coatings usually imply paints or coating materials that will slow down or impede the progress of fire. The term as used here refers to a coating system that will not only prevent the progression of fire but also insulate and protect from heat the base to which the coating is applied. The base material is metal, usually aluminum. 

The Air Force is interested in the development of a fire-retardant coating suitable for aircraft use. The problem of fire control is ever present on aircraft, which are essentially flying power plants surrounded by tanks of highly flammable fuel, and carrying personnel and cargo. 

The Forest Products Laboratories (f>, 1), utilizing the porosity principle of insulation with a carbonaceous structure, are to be highly commended for their work on fire-retardant coatings for interior use on wood. 

Stilbert and Cummings (10) describe very ably the status of fire-retardant coatings known to industry at the present time. Dow Latex 744B plasticized with Santicizer B-16 was added to a typical intumescent formulation to produce a decided improvement in the scrub resistance of the coatings, if less than 15% latex was used. 

A patent (5) describes the basic formulation and theory used in the best fire-retardant coatings developed to date however, it finds greatest use on wood for interior use. 

No fire-retardant coating has been developed to date by industry suitable for Air Force use on the metal of aircraft. 

The desired properties of the fire-retardant coating system are ... 

A temperature of 1750 F. (or 2000 F.) is reached in 1 minute on the coating surface and maintained for 0.5 hour. The pyrometers indicate the temperature differential (insulative ability of the fire-retardant coating) between the name temperature and the bare metal temperature. Results should be recorded on a graph indicating time vs. temperature and evaluated on a relative basis. 

Although only a small number of experiments are reported here, hundreds of materials have been used both individually and collectively. The desired fire-retardant coating for aircraft use has not been developed, and extensive work must yet be accomplished. The basic variables to be considered are ... 

Engineer Research and Development Laboratory, Fort Belvoir, Va., Fire-Retardant Coatings, Rept. 1226 (April 26, 1952). 

Meyn, J. E., Fire-Retardant Coatings, 2nd Quart. 1952, Air Force Contract AF33(600)-8225, WADC. 

How does our research stand in rendering wood fire retardant What is the effect of fire-retardant treatments on the fire performance properties of wood and on the physical and mechanical properties of wood that are important to its utility Discussion will be limited to fire retardancy obtained by pressure impregnation, which is currently the most effective method. Fire-retardant coatings, wood-plastic combinations, and chemical modifications of wood will not be considered. 

Optical microscopy can be used to characterize the surface of the charred residue after heat treatment. As an example, Figure 10.18 compares the optical microscopy of virgin PU coatings with that of fire-retarded coatings. Whereas cracks are observed on the surface in the case of PU, large... 

NFPA 701 Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films NFPA 703 Standard for Fire Retardant Impregnated Wood and Fire Retardant Coatings for Building Materials... 

Polidene . [Scott Bader] Vinylidene chloride copolymers binder, base fot ptq ier coati, fire-retardant coatings, adhesives, textile fibers, pigment printing, paints, caulks. 

Antimony trioxide fire retardants coat electrical wires and components found in a variety of everyday appliances. 

Fire-retardant coating. [Data from Cioffi, E. a. Hicks, H., us Patent 5,104,735, Apr. 14,... 

Uses Emulsion for high solids mastics, caulks, sealants, joint cements, fire-retardant coatings, paper and felt saturation Features Chemical and mechanical stability produces highly loaded formulations with rheological chars. produces films that are clear, transparent, and odorless... 

Uses Used in latex paints for factory finishes, ceiling tile, wall board, in fire retardant coatings, and in textile treatments Trade Names Permax 801 Permax 803 Versaflex 9... 

Elastorez IC-2500 Elastorez IC-2501 emulsion, elastomeric industrial coatings Elastorez IC-2500 Elastorez IC-2501 emulsion, fire-retardant coatings Everflex GT emulsion, floor finishes Olefin/acrylate copolymer emulsion, industrial coatings Armorez IC-2959 Armorez ICX-8183-86 emulsion, metal coatings Armorez IC-2959 enamel, PU... 

Telrabromobisphenol A diacrylabe fire retardant, cable coatings Telrabromobtsphenol A diacrylate fire retardant, coatings FR-1206 Hydramax HM-B8, HM-B8-S Hydramax HM-C9, HM-C9-S Magnesium calcium carbonate hydroxide Trtcresyl phosphate fire retanlant, crosslinked PE Hydramax HM-C9, HM-C9-S fire retardant, EPDM Hydramax HM-B8, HM-B8-S fire retardant, EPR Hydramax HM-BS, HM-B8-S fire retardant, EPS FR-1206... 

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