The fire resistant design of composites considers the study of the basic principles that drive the performance in the combustion process of not just materials but complete devices as well.
Development of flame retardant systems, and fire resistance coatings for polymers (thermoplastics and thermosets), metal, wood….
Different approaches for the upgrading of fire performance in fibre reinforced composites can be considered, both for reaction and resistance to fire:
- Design of a flame retardant system by the addition of adequate flame retardants to the resin, such as inorganics (ATH, Mg(OH)2, Bohemite….); phosphorous based FR (APP, Phosphates, Phosphinates….. ); nanofillers (Modified clays, sepiolites…. )
- An ad-hoc top-coat, coating or paint, primarily based in intumescent solutions.
Reaction to fire: Vertical, horizontal & experimental furnaces with cone calorimeter, smoke density chamber coupled to FTIR, Oxygen index (L.O.I), UL 94, radiant panel, tubular furnace, flammability test, calorimeter bomb, non-combustibility test, TGA-EGA. According EN standards (Euroclasses system), IMO, ASTM, ISO, EN 45545-2 , propagation of facades BS 8414-1.
Toxicity of fire effluents tests:
– NF X70-100 (tubular furnace and NBS Smoke chamber)
– ISO 5659-2 + FTIR (annex.C EN 45545-2) test
