One-pot, bioinspired coatings to reduce the flammability of flexible polyurethane foams.
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.
Fire Research Division, Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive MS-8665, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8655, United States.
Rick
R
Davis
Fire Research Division, Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive MS-8665, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8655, United States.
Yu-Chin
YC
Li
Fire Research Division, Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive MS-8665, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8655, United States.
Michelle
M
Gervasio
Fire Research Division, Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive MS-8665, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8655, United States.
Jason
J
Luu
Fire Research Division, Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive MS-8665, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8655, United States.
Yeon Seok
YS
Kim
D001546:Bentonite / Q000737:chemistry; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D001888:Boric Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008422:Materials Testing; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013814:Thermal Conductivity
D001888:Boric Acids; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005411:Flame Retardants; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011140:Polyurethanes; D001546:Bentonite; C028279:polyurethane foam; C032688:boric acid
biopolymers; boron; fire retardant; one pot; polyurethane foam