SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF SILICATE MINERAL FILLERS REINFORCED INTUMESCENT FIRE RETARDANT COATING FOR STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS

The use of structural steel in construction of buildings is increasing progressively due
to its strength. In case of fire, structural steel loses its loadbearing capability at 550°C.
Intumescent fire retardant coating, a passive fire protection system is used to protect
the steel substrate in fire. In present research work, a control formulation consisting of
ammonium poly-phosphate as acid source, expandable graphite as carbon source,
melamine as blowing agent, boric acid as additive and hardener H-2310 polyamide
amine as curing agent in bisphenol A epoxy resin BE-188(BPA) was developed. This
control formulation was further reinforced with slicate minerals, such as wollastonite
and clay minerals. A range of formulations were developed by varying wt. % of fillers
to examine their effects toward heat shielding, char expansion, char composition,
toxicity and char morphology.