Fire retardant coatings are materials which are basically resistant to burning. Their chemical composition is such that it does not allow the bonds holding the material together do not break easily. This means that if any highly combustible substance like gas has a retardant added to it, it automatically becomes less likely to explode.
A good example that shows the working of these materials is the use of carbon dioxide in fighting flames. The carbon dioxide which is normally packed in extinguishers acts as a retardant. When it is sprayed onto a flame, the gas separates the fuel and the oxygen in the air. This makes the reaction at the flame impossible to continue and the reaction stops.
These flame repellants are engineered in high tech labs and are divided into two categories. These are the chemically acting and the physically acting materials. Chemical agents are then divided into three. The first, intumescents, refers to a coating that is applied on surfaces. The substance swells up and provides an insulating layer when there is an emergency.
The other method in which chemical agents provide retardation is in the gas phase. These typically work by making conditions at the chemical reaction of the flame itself unsuitable for combustion. The reactions taking place at the flame are interrupted and the reaction dies down. Gaseous retardants are usually organic in nature belonging to the group known as haloalkanes.
The solid state also holds some tricks when it comes to dealing with flames and preventing the damage they bring with them. These materials work by melting and flowing all over the burning surface when they experience very high temperatures. They cover the burning surface and prevent further damage.
The physical action of these chemicals is also effective in combating fires. Physical agents work in simple ways unlike the action of their chemical counter parts. Some work by cooling the burning material of fuel down to very low temperatures which force the reaction at the flame to stop. Others will coat the surface, insulating the inner layers while others will produce non combustible elements when burned like carbon dioxide.
Retardants are widely used all over the world in various respects depending on the situation at hand. Some reactions will only respond to chemical methods while others will be stopped by physical means. Forest fires for instance are controlled by flame retardant spray. Fireproofing wood is done because it is highly susceptible to combustion.
A good example that shows the working of these materials is the use of carbon dioxide in fighting flames. The carbon dioxide which is normally packed in extinguishers acts as a retardant. When it is sprayed onto a flame, the gas separates the fuel and the oxygen in the air. This makes the reaction at the flame impossible to continue and the reaction stops.
These flame repellants are engineered in high tech labs and are divided into two categories. These are the chemically acting and the physically acting materials. Chemical agents are then divided into three. The first, intumescents, refers to a coating that is applied on surfaces. The substance swells up and provides an insulating layer when there is an emergency.
The other method in which chemical agents provide retardation is in the gas phase. These typically work by making conditions at the chemical reaction of the flame itself unsuitable for combustion. The reactions taking place at the flame are interrupted and the reaction dies down. Gaseous retardants are usually organic in nature belonging to the group known as haloalkanes.
The solid state also holds some tricks when it comes to dealing with flames and preventing the damage they bring with them. These materials work by melting and flowing all over the burning surface when they experience very high temperatures. They cover the burning surface and prevent further damage.
The physical action of these chemicals is also effective in combating fires. Physical agents work in simple ways unlike the action of their chemical counter parts. Some work by cooling the burning material of fuel down to very low temperatures which force the reaction at the flame to stop. Others will coat the surface, insulating the inner layers while others will produce non combustible elements when burned like carbon dioxide.
Retardants are widely used all over the world in various respects depending on the situation at hand. Some reactions will only respond to chemical methods while others will be stopped by physical means. Forest fires for instance are controlled by flame retardant spray. Fireproofing wood is done because it is highly susceptible to combustion.
About the Author:
Fire Retardant Coatings of Texas is a top provider of fire retardant coatings. Contact them today for more information! (http://www.fireretardantcoatingsoftexas.com)
