Environmentally Friendly, High-Performance Fire Retardant Made from Cellulose and Graphite
Leandra P Santos1, Douglas S da Silva2, Thais H Morari1
1Galembetech Consultores e Tecnologia Ltda., Campinas 13080-661, Brazil.
Polymers
|August 10, 2021
Summary
A novel exfoliated and reassembled graphite (ERG) coating, utilizing cellulose, effectively suppresses flames on wood and other materials. This innovative fire-retardant material achieves the highest flame resistance class for combustible substrates.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Fire Safety Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Existing fire retardants face limitations, driving demand for novel solutions.
- Cellulose's dispersant and adhesive properties offer potential for new material development.
- Graphite's unique structure can be leveraged for advanced material applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new, effective fire-retardant coating using exfoliated and reassembled graphite (ERG) and cellulose.
- To investigate the fire-retardant mechanism and performance of ERG on lignocellulosic materials.
- To assess the technical advantages and potential industrial scalability of the ERG coating.
Main Methods:
- Formation of ERG by drying aqueous dispersions of graphite and cellulose on substrates.
- Application of ERG coatings on wood, canvas, and other lignocellulosic materials.
- Evaluation of fire-retardant performance using visual observation, thermal imaging, temperature measurements, and standard flame resistance tests.
Main Results:
- ERG coatings adhered well to various lignocellulosic substrates, significantly reducing flame damage.
- Fast heat transfer away from flame spots was observed, suppressing flare formation.
- Pinewood coated with ERG achieved the highest possible flame resistance class for combustible substrates.
Conclusions:
- ERG demonstrates excellent fire-retardant properties due to its thermal stability and heat dissipation capabilities.
- The ERG coating offers a novel mechanism for fire retardation with advantages like water-based precursors and commodity raw materials.
- This technology presents a promising new class of flame-retardant coatings with potential for industrial application and minimal waste.
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