Fire Retardant for Private organization. New technology hybrid

1. Presented By: Applied Chemistry Laboratories (ACL), ISLAMABAD

2. 1. Introduction.
2. Mechanism of Flame Retardants.
3. Methods of FR’s Development.
4. Types of Flame Retardants.
5. Flammability Testing.
6. Polymer Combustion Mechanism.
7. Applications.
8. Flame Retardants Suppliers.
9. References.

3. • Flame Retardants refer to a variety of substances that are added to combustible
materials to prevent fires from starting or to slow the spread of fire and provide
additional escape time
• Flame Retardants refers to a function, not a family of chemicals. A variety of
different chemistries, with different properties and molecular structures, act as
flame retardants and these chemicals are often combined for effectiveness.
• It has different types such as; Additives, Reactives & Intumescents.
• Several Methods are used by FRs to prevent Flame Propagation.

4. • A chemical added to combustible materials to render them more
resistant to ignition or make them self-extinguishing.
• Minimizes the risk of fire starting.
• Increases the safety of lives and property by slowing down or
stopping the combustion cycle.

5. With Flame Retardant Without Flame Retardant

6. • Ignition source
• Prevent ignition
• Possibly self-extinguish
• Flame spread (reaction to fire)
• Slow down flame spread
• Reduce heat release
• Delay flash-over
• Fire penetration (resistance to fire)
• Prevent the collapse of structures, e. g. steel columns protected by intumescent coatings
• Prevent fire moving to adjacent room or building compartment

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1. Coating Theory
• Formation of a layer of a fusible substance which melts and forms a coating thus excluding
the air necessary for the propagation of flame.
• Carbonates and ammonium salts liberate gases like CO2, NH3 and exclude air.
2. Gas Theory
• FR decomposes at burning temperature and evolve non combustible gases
• Such non combustible gases which obstruct and dilute the combustible gases
• Mixtures of titanium and antimony oxides
3. Chemical Theory
• FR reacts with substrate on burning and form chemicals such as phosphoric and sulphuric
acid.
• Such acids are dehydrating agents, which actually helps in flame retarding

8. 1. HEAT ABSORBING
• It means using flame heat in some
reaction to reduce or prevent
combustibility.
• Metal Hydrates; such as aluminum
tri-hydrate (ATH) or magnesium
hydroxide are typically suitable for
this purpose.
• These type of compounds simply
absorb heat of flame for evaporating
water in its structure.
2. FLAME QUENCHING
• Flame quenching mean stopping the
chain reaction of flame propagation.
• Halogenated compounds; such as
boric acid are typically suitable
materials for this purpose.
• They act in the flame zone by forming a
blanket of halogen vapor that
interferes with the propagation of the
flame by interrupting the generation of
highly reactive radicals.
• Synergists; such as antimony trioxide
and antimony pentoxide, are used for
enhancing flame quenchers
performance.
3. CHAR FORMING
• Char forming mean stopping flame
propagation by production of a
charred layer.
• Phosphorus Compounds; such as
phosphate ester are typically
suitable materials for this purpose.
• It provide protective layer to reduce
the energy of fire that material
objected to it.

9. (Based On Their Sources) Flame Retardants
Organic
Non-Phosphorus
Compounds
Phosphorus
Compounds
Inorganic
Compounds of
Phosphates,
Boron, Nitrogen,
Hydroxides

10. (Based on Retarding
Effect)
Primary Retardants
Phosphorus and Halogen Based
Synergistic Retardants
No retarding effect alone but improves
retardancy of another when combined
Adjunctive Retardants
That exhibit their activity through physical
effects

11. 1. Halogenated FRs
2. Phosphorus Containing FRs
3. Nitrogen Containing FRs
4. Inorganic FRs
Chlorinated Brominated

12. • Halogenated FR act in the vapor phase.
• Reduce the heat generated by flames, thereby inhibiting the formation of flammable gases.
• Behave according to a “Free Radical Trap” Theory.
• Process regenerates halogen radicals to perpetuate the reaction.
Chlorinated Brominated
• Wider Temperature range for radical
releases
• Used most commonly as a paraffin
additive
• Most common FR in production
• Five classifications with over 75
compounds in the market
• High degree of control over release
temperature
Free Radical Trap Mechanism

13. • These FRs acts in solid phase
• Reacts to form phosphoric acid
• Acid coats to form “char”
• Char slows down the pyrolysis step of combustion cycle
• These FRs basically used as an additive to material to be protected
• Thermal decomposition leads to formation of phosphoric acid:

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• Phosphoric acid formed esterifies, dehydrates the oxygen-containing
polymer and causes charring:
• Such FRs are commonly used in plasticizers, plastics and polyurethane
foam

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• Pros
• Efficient FR Performance
• Needed dosage lower than Halogenated FRs
• phosphorus FRs does not produce toxic smoke
• Cons
• Higher price/kg than Halogenated FRs
• Have Limited uses in textile industry due to formation of char

16. • These FRs working mechanism is that Nitrogen gas is released into the
atmosphere a inert gas lowers the concentration of flammable vapors
• Other than this, its working mechanism is not fully understood
• Such FRs are used in Foams, Nylons and Polymers
• It can partially replace other FRs, or can be used in proportions with
other FRs (experimentation work to be performed)

17. • Such FRs undergo decomposition reactions
• Release of water or non-flammable gases which dilute the gases
feeding flames
• Adsorption of heat energy cools the fire
• Production of non-flammable, resistant layer on the material’s surface
• These FRs are used for PVC, Wires and propylene.
• Common Inorganic FRs are:
• Aluminum Hydroxide
• Magnesium Hydroxide
• Boron containing compounds
• Antimony Oxides
• Inorganic Phosphorus Compounds

18. • This is the easiest test to pass.
• The test involves applying flame to one end of a horizontal bar of the material for 30
seconds or until the flame front reaches the specified mark.
• If burning continues then the time taken to reach the second mark is measured. If
burning stops then the time of burning and damaged length are measured.
• A material will be classified 94 HB if the time taken to reach the second mark is greater
than the specified minimum or if burning stops before the second mark

19. • This is a more hard test than Horizontal HB test because the specimen
is tested in the vertical orientation
• At which the material burning at the lower end of the sample
preheats the material in the upper areas of specimen causing faster
and larger flame propagation.