Correlating the Performance of a Fire-Retardant Coating across Different Scales of Testing

Abstract

Material-scale tests involving milligrams of samples are used to optimize fire-retardant coating formulations, but actual applications of these coatings require them to be assessed with structural-scale fire tests. This significant difference in the scale of testing (milligrams to kilograms of sample) raises many questions on the relations between the inherent flammability and thermal characteristics of the coating materials and their “performance” at the structural scale. Moreover, the expected “performance” requirements and the definition of “performance” varies at different scales. In this regard, the pathway is not established when designing and formulating fire-retardant coatings for structural steel sections or members. This manuscript explores the fundamental relationships across different scales of testing with the help of a fire-protective system based on acrylic resin with a typical combination of intumescent additives, viz. ammonium polyphosphate, pentaerythritol, and expandable graphite. One of the main outcomes of this work dictates that higher heat release rate values and larger amounts of material participating in the pyrolysis process per unit time will result in a rapid rise in steel substrate temperature. This information is very useful in the design and development of generic fire-retardant coatings.

Using recombinant adhesive proteins as durable and green flame-retardant coatings

“…In the previous studies investigating fire retardant coatings, methods including IR spectroscopy, vertical burning test (ASTM D6413 ) and flammability test (BS476) are all commonly used [14] , [15] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] ,. Here, by testing our genetically engineered proteins using these tests, we confirmed that our proteins can be used as a coating to increase flame retardancy in cotton fabrics and wood.…”

Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Spheres Coated with Graphene Oxide Sheets: From Synthesis to Optical Properties and Their Applications as Flame-Retardant Agents

“…Thus, Figure 3 a shows the Raman spectrum of the commercial PVC powder in the form of grains. The main Raman lines of the PVC grains as well as their assignment are shown in Table 1 [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

“…Multiple MCC tests were conducted on the control sample in order to identify the optimal combination of the sample mass and the heat rate to ensure the lowering of oxygen concentration to 10 ± 3%, as recommended by the producers [ 20 ] and as the specialty literature states [ 22 ]. The sample mass was established at 14 mg, a heating rate of 2 K/s was set as the optimal rate, and two tests using these conditions were conducted for all of the samples.…”

“…Thus, Figure 3a shows the Raman spectrum of the commercial PVC powder in the form of grains. The main Raman lines of the PVC grains as well as their assignment are shown in Table 1 [22][23][24][25]. In contrast with the Raman spectrum of PVC grains, in the case of the Raman spectrum of PVC spheres, the following changes are reported: (i) a down-shift of the Raman lines from 360, 638, 1102, 1334, 2916, and 2976 cm −1 to 357, 633, 1092, 1323, 2912, and 2971 cm −1 , respectively; (ii) an up-shift of the Raman line from 1403 cm −1 to 1426 cm −1 .…”

Acrylic‐based fire‐retardant coatings for steel protection: Employing the concept of in situ ceramization

“…In the recent past, many efforts were also diverted towards the further improvement of these compositions. They include the usage of alternate blowing agents like expandable graphite, 4,5 incorporation of nanoparticles (like graphene, clay and carbon nanotubes) to delay the release of volatiles, [6][7][8] and even using filled (with charring agents) natural microtubules to avoid the negative effects of flame retardants on matrix properties. 9 Araby et al 10 have also compared the advantages and disadvantages of the usage of graphene platelets and phosphorous compounds in terms of the resultant mechanical and flame-retardant properties of the matrix.…”