Fire Protection Composite With Directed Intumescence for Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection elements suffer from lateral displacement of expanded material, leading to reduced sealing effectiveness and increased thermal conductivity, particularly in larger openings, and require excessive amounts of physically active blowing agents, which are economically and ecologically disadvantageous.
Innovation Solution
A composite material comprising a carrier material and layered, physically active blowing agents arranged essentially parallel to each other, directing expansion perpendicular to the layers to enhance sealing capability and reduce material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physically acting blowing agents are randomly distributed in fire protection elements, then the material expands uniformly in all three spatial directions, but this results in lateral displacement of expanded material out of the opening, reducing sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by orienting expandable graphite particles in a non-random, anisotropic manner within the carrier material. Specifically, the particles are arranged with their expansion direction aligned perpendicular to the broad face of the fire protection element, creating asymmetric expansion behavior that directs material inward toward the opening rather than laterally outward. This resolves the contradiction by sacrificing uniform isotropic expansion for directed anisotropic expansion that improves sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating different particle orientations in different regions of the fire protection element. The expandable graphite particles are oriented such that those near the broad face expand perpendicular to it (inward toward the opening), while maintaining consistent orientation throughout the thickness. This localized orientation control ensures that expansion occurs primarily in the direction needed for sealing, preventing lateral displacement and improving reliability.
2Reliability
If excessive amounts of physically active blowing agents are used to ensure adequate sealing, then sealing capability is improved, but economic and ecological disadvantages increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the orientation parameter of the expandable graphite particles rather than changing the quantity. By controlling the angular orientation of particles to expand perpendicular to the broad face, the patent achieves more efficient use of the blowing agent material. This directional control ensures that expansion force is applied where needed (inward toward the opening) rather than wasted in lateral directions, thereby improving sealing capability while reducing the total amount of blowing agent required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of a carrier material (such as intumescent material or refractory cement) combined with orientable expandable graphite particles. This composite structure allows for controlled distribution and orientation of the physically active blowing agent within the matrix, enabling efficient utilization of the blowing agent while maintaining or improving sealing performance. The composite approach replaces the need for excessive blowing agent quantity with structured, oriented distribution.
3Ease of manufacture
If expandable particles are randomly oriented, then manufacturing is simpler, but expansion occurs in all directions causing material to be forced laterally out of the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-orienting the expandable graphite particles during the manufacturing process rather than allowing random orientation. The particles are arranged in advance with their expansion axes aligned perpendicular to the broad face of the element. This preliminary orientation control, achieved through specific mixing and forming techniques, ensures that when expansion occurs during fire exposure, the material expands in the desired direction (inward toward the opening) rather than laterally outward, thereby preventing material loss without significantly complicating manufacturing.
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 composite material achieves targeted expansion towards the opening, minimizing lateral displacement and improving sealing performance while reducing the amount of blowing agent required.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of particles of at least a layered, physically active blowing agent... In the event of a fire, the layered, physically active blowing agent expands essentially in one direction, namely perpendicular to the individual layers from which the physically active blowing agent is composed
Implementation Method 2
the material expands when exposed to heat, such as that generated in a fire, thereby compressing the cable and sealing the opening
Implementation Method 3
these additives expand or intumescent at elevated temperatures, such as in the event of a fire, and, in combination with the carrier material and any other additives, form an insulating layer, thus sealing any opening that may occur
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a composite material, a process for manufacturing same, and a fire proofing element containing the disclosed composite material for protecting passages in construction elements, e.g. building parts, through which lines are guided, in the event of a fire. The invention further relates to the use of the composite material as a fire proofing element for sealing passages and/or joints in construction elements.