Evaluating the Effectiveness of Complex Fire-Retardants on the Fire Properties of Ultra-low Density Fiberboard (ULDF)

Abstract

The preparation conditions of complex fire-retardant (FR) agents containing boron compounds (BF, X1), nitrogen-phosphorus compounds (NPF, X2), silicon compounds (SF, X3), and halogen compounds (HF, X4) for ultra-low density fiberboard (ULDF) were optimized using a response surface methodology. The effects and interactions of X1, X2, X3, and X4 on the fire properties of ULDF were investigated. An optimum char yield of 61.4% was obtained when the complex fire-retardant agents contained 33.9% boron, 27.2% nitrogen-phosphorus, 15.0% silicon, and 28.6% halogen. Compared with control fiberboard (CF), the heat release rate (HRR) profiles of all fiberboards with FRs were reduced. The peak HRR reduction in BF and NPF was more pronounced than for SF and HF at this stage. . Additionally, Si compounds showed greater effectiveness in preventing ULDF mass loss than BF, NPF, and HF. MF showed the highest residual mass (40.94%). Furthermore, the synergistic effect between four FR agents showed more significant results in ULDFs.

Fire Performance of Ultra-Low Density Fiberboard (ULDF) with Complex Fire-Retardants

“…For example, the char yield of MF at 350 °C and 500 °C increased by 78.31% and 112.78%, respectively, compared with CF. These results indicated that the fire resistance of fiberboards is improved by complex fire-retardants, which improve the protection properties of the residues (Chen et al 2015b(Chen et al , 2016a. …”

“…The mass loss of MF in the third stage was 9.7% higher than the CF, indicating that the complex fire-retardants prompted the decomposition of polymer toward carbonaceous residues. Additionally, the exothermic peak around 400.0 °C was obviously decreased, indicating the deflagration process in fiberboards was restrained by complex fire-retardants, which produce a synergistic effect between different compositions (Chen et al 2016a). In sum, the thermostability of the ULDFs was improved by complex fire-retardants.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that the fire resistance of ULDF is better improved by complex fire-retardants than a one-component fire-retardant (Chen et al 2016a). The optimal preparation conditions of complex fire-retardant agents were obtained in Chen et al (2016a).…”

“…The vapor phase follows the principle of free radical chain reaction. The large number of hydroxyl radicals (HO·) can react with CO to form the CO2 gas and hydrogen radical (H·), which reacts with oxygen to form hydroxyl radicals (Chen et al 2015b(Chen et al , 2016a. The described processes interrupt the exothermic processes and suppress combustion.…”

“…The optimal preparation conditions of complex fire-retardant agents were obtained in Chen et al (2016a). There is a synergistic effect in complex fire-retardants containing boron, nitrogen-phosphorus, silica, and halogen compounds.…”