Cellulosic Material Flame-Retardant Formulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellulosic materials face challenges in achieving effective flame-retardant and smoke-suppression properties, particularly due to excessive smoke production during fires, and existing flame retardants like boric acid and halogenated compounds have environmental and health concerns, necessitating the development of alternative formulations for stringent fire management applications, including wildland fires.

Innovation Solution

A water-based flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant formulation comprising a phosphate derivative, aluminum hydroxide, a clay, and a surfactant, specifically designed to provide enhanced flame-retardant and smoke-suppression properties for cellulosic materials, which can be applied to cellulosic substrates to achieve improved fire resistance and reduced smoke production, while being environmentally friendly and suitable for wildland fire management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional flame retardants (boric acid, halogenated compounds) are used to achieve flame-retardant properties, then fire resistance is improved, but environmental and health issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidenvironmental and health issues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing traditional flame retardants with a new formulation containing ammonium polyphosphate, aluminum hydroxide, and zinc borate. This substitution maintains fire resistance while eliminating environmental and health hazards associated with halogenated compounds and boric acid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite flame-retardant system combining multiple components (ammonium polyphosphate, aluminum hydroxide, zinc borate, and surfactants) that work synergistically to provide effective fire protection without the harmful effects of traditional single-component flame retardants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If flame retardants are applied to cellulosic materials to reduce fire risk, then flame-retardant properties are improved, but smoke production increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame-retardant propertiesVSAvoidsmoke production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces aluminum hydroxide and zinc borate as intermediary substances that interfere with the smoke generation mechanism. These compounds decompose to form protective layers and release water vapor that suppresses smoke formation while maintaining flame-retardant effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition of aluminum hydroxide and zinc borate during heating, where they decompose and release water vapor. This phase change process absorbs heat and suppresses smoke production while maintaining the flame-retardant barrier

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Object-affected harmful factors

If environmentally friendly flame retardants are used to address health concerns, then environmental safety is improved, but flame-retardant effectiveness may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental safetyVSAvoidflame-retardant effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple environmentally friendly flame-retardant components (ammonium polyphosphate, aluminum hydroxide, zinc borate) into a single formulation that achieves synergistic effects, ensuring that environmental safety does not compromise flame-retardant effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The formulation effectively combines flame-retardant and smoke-suppression properties, meeting stringent regulatory standards and demonstrating stability and efficacy in reducing smoke density and flame propagation, making it suitable for industrial applications and wildland fire management.

Implementation Method 1

aluminum hydroxide... smoke-suppression properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

a surfactant selected from non-ionic surfactants or anionic surfactants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

phosphate derivative... flame-retardant properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChar formation: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4277772B1Flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant formulation and cellulosic materials comprising the same

Publication Date: 2025.01.08 FORESA TECH S L U

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a water-based flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant formulation comprising a phosphate derivative, aluminum hydroxide, a clay and a surfactant; to a method for its preparation; to a cellulosic material comprising the same; to a method of preparation of such cellulosic materials and to cellulosic materials obtained by or obtainable by such method. The present invention further relates to the use of said water-based flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant formulation and to a method thereof for the management of wildland fires.