One-Pot, Bio-Inspired Coatings to Reduce the Flammability of Flexible Polyurethane Foams

Published

February 27, 2015

Author(s)

Rick D. Davis, Yu-Chin Li, Michelle R. Gervasio, Yeon S. Kim

Abstract

In this manuscript, natural materials were combined into a single “pot” to produce flexible, highly fire resistant, and bioinspired coatings on flexible polyurethane foam (PUF). In one step, PUF was coated with a fire protective layer constructed of a polysaccharide binder (starch or agar), a boron fire retardant (boric acid or derivative), and a dirt char former (montmorillonite clay). Nearly all coatings produced a 63% reduction in a critical flammability value, the peak heat release rate (PHRR). One formulation produced a 75% reduction in PHRR. This technology was validated in full-scale furniture fire tests, where a 75% reduction in PHRR was measured. At these PHRR values, this technology could reduce the fire threat of furniture from significant fire damage in and beyond the room of fire origin to being contained to the burning furniture. This flammability reduction was caused by three mechanisms - the gas-phase and condensed-phase processes of the boron fire retardant and the condensed-phase process of the clay. We describe the one-pot coating process and the impact of the coating composition on flammability.

Citation

ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

Fire retardant, boron, Polyurethane Foam, Biopolymers, One pot

Citation

Davis, R. , Li, Y. , Gervasio, M. and Kim, Y. (2015), One-Pot, Bio-Inspired Coatings to Reduce the Flammability of Flexible Polyurethane Foams, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (Accessed May 10, 2025)