Characterization of hemp fiber fire reaction

Abstract

Integrating bio-resources in materials allows to reduce the environmental impact of the building industry. This study deals with fire-retardant treatments, alternative to boric acid and ammonium salts solutions, applied to hemp fibers for thermal insulation application. The aim is to limit the energy, sanitary and environmental impacts of the treatment, while optimizing the technical performances. A laboratory protocol evaluates the flame-retardant effect of the developed treatments. Treated fibers, including commercial treatments, are subjected to characterization tests: direct ignition small flame, thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis [TGA], differential thermal analysis [DTA]), pyrolysis-combustion flow calorimeter and cone calorimeter. Some of the methods have been adapted to be applied to fibrous materials. The obtained results orientate the formulation of a treatment and highlight the complementarity of the analysis methods. Coupling the results, the ConeTools's predictive model leads to the estimation of the reaction to fire class according to the Euroclass. Euroclass C appears accessible with a tailored treatment.

Improved flame retardancy and ceramifiable properties of PE composites by the combination of aluminum hypophosphite and zinc borate

“…[10] Flame retardants generally play the role of isolation and cooling by generating gas, water and compact insulation layer during sintering. [11] APP, [12] ZB, [9] aluminum hypophosphite (AHP), [13] aluminum hydroxide [14] and magnesium hydroxide [15] are acted as flame retardants, widely used in ceramifiable composites.…”