Effect of Surface Coatings on Fire Growth Over Composite Materials in a Corner Configuration.
Effect of Surface Coatings on Fire Growth Over Composite
Materials in a Corner Configuration.
(1504 K)
Ohlemiller, T. J.; Shields, J. R.
Fire Safety Journal, Vol. 32, 173-193, 1999.
Keywords:
composite materials; fire growth; surface coatings
Abstract:
Structural composites are vulnerable to fire in two
respects: (1) their resin content may ignite and enable
the spread of flames over the surface of the structure;
(2) the resin may degrade from the heat of a localized
fire exposure thus weakening the composite structure.
The present study focuses mainly on the first issue, in
particular, on the ability of various commercial
coatings to prevent flame spread. The second issue is
examined briefly by applying thermocouples to the back
surface of test specimens. Four commercial coatings have
been tested over an unretarded viny1 ester/glass
composite. In addition an uncoated phenolic/glass
composite and a polyester/glass composite coated with a
fire retarded resin were tested. In all cases the
configuration was a 3.3 m high corner with a 53 cm
square propane gas burner at its base, operated at 250
kW as the fire exposure. The results show that, with the
proper choice of coating and coating thickness, fire
growth can be suppressed quite effectively. Two of the
coatings, applied at a substantial thickness, were
reasonably effective at slowing the penetration of heat
to the back of the composite panels. The other coatings,
much thinner in applicatiorr, were notably less
effective at slowing heat penetration.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899