Innovative intumescent fire protective coating offers enhanced steel protection
A newly developed epoxy-based fire protective coating has demonstrated outstanding performance in protecting steel surfaces. Optimized with a specific ratio of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and copper oxide (Cu₂O), the coating provides superior fire resistance compared to conventional solutions.
A research team has introduced an innovative intumescent fire protective coating specifically designed to protect steel surfaces. The coating, based on epoxy resin (EP), combines ammonium polyphosphate (APP) with copper oxide (Cu₂O) in varying ratios. The goal was to achieve the highest possible fire resistance for steel.
Testing involved applying a 2 mm thick layer of the coating to steel plates. The best results were obtained with a 6:4 APP/Cu₂O mass ratio, reducing the backside temperature of the coated steel plate to 234.5 °C—well below the critical failure threshold for steel at approximately 500 °C. For comparison, uncoated steel reached a backside temperature of 529 °C.
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Enhanced safety and reduced smoke production
Beyond thermal protection, the optimized formulation significantly reduced fire hazards. The peak heat release rate decreased by 80%, total smoke production by 59.5%, and peak CO production by 75%. These results, obtained through cone calorimetry testing, simulate fire conditions realistically.
The research highlights the APP/Cu₂O system’s ability to form an intumescent layer with high expansion and excellent insulation properties. This development sets a new benchmark for fire protection in construction and industry.
Source: Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, Volume 21, pages 547–558, (2024)
