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One-Pot, Bio-Inspired Coatings to Reduce the Flammability of Flexible Polyurethane Foams
Published
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
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 June 3, 2023)