Fabrication of Intumescent Fire-Retardant Coating for Structural Applications

Abstract

Applicability of materials limited by the effect of flammability in case of any sudden incident. Worldwide protection of any structure from the fire is covered through intumescent fire resistant coatings since many past years. Purpose of this study is to prepare and to fabricate several intumescent fire retardant coatings (IFRC) using different proportions of materials per unit weight. Also to find most optimistic formulations and analyse the performance of intumescent fire retardant coatings (IFRC). On the basis of background studies 5 different materials were considered to prepare several formulations i-e Titanium dioxide (TiO2), Ammonium polyphosphate (APP), Zinc borate, Epoxy hardener, Kaolinite (Clay), Melamine (MEL) and Expandable Graphite (EG). IFRC formulations were applied on Mild Steel plates after its preparation Each formulation was subjected to a temperature of 700°C for a period of five minutes. The results revealed that the coatings, Out of 5 formulations of IFRC, IFRC-4 exhibited promising performance. It demonstrated excellent stability and adhesion at the elevated temperature, lasting for over five minutes. Additionally, its coating expanded up to four times the initial thickness. Heat Transfer rate was completely reduced.

Keywords

• epoxy hardener
• melamine (mel)
• titanium dioxide (tio2)
• ammonium polyphosphate (app)
• expandable graphite (eg)
• intumescent fire retardant coatings and kaolinite (clay)