Fire-Resistant Glazing with Phase-Separating Intumescent Layer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire-resistant glazings are susceptible to heat-shock, leading to inhomogeneous foaming and increased heat transmission, undermining their fire-resistant performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a phase separation additive in the intumescent layer to cause controlled phase separation at a temperature below the activation temperature, ensuring even heating and reducing temperature differences between the glass pane and the intumescent layer, thereby preventing inhomogeneous foaming and improving insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the intumescent layer is rapidly heated beyond activation temperature, then the intumescent layer expands and forms foam, but inhomogeneous foaming occurs allowing large amount of radiative heat to be transmitted through the glazing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire-resistant performanceVSAvoidheat transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a phase separation additive that changes the thermal and rheological parameters of the intumescent layer. This additive causes the layer to undergo phase separation at controlled temperatures, transforming its internal structure to prevent inhomogeneous foaming and reduce radiative heat transmission during fire exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The phase separation additive acts as an intermediary substance within the intumescent layer. It mediates the heating process by facilitating controlled phase separation that prevents direct, rapid heating of the glass pane, thereby reducing heat transmission while maintaining fire-resistant performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the intumescent layer is heated rapidly, then foaming occurs providing cooling effect, but temperature differences between glass pane and intumescent layer increase causing heat-shock

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat conductionVSAvoidtemperature difference
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes controlled phase transitions through the phase separation additive. The additive causes the intumescent layer to undergo phase separation at specific temperature ranges, creating a gradual transition that reduces temperature differences and prevents thermal shock while maintaining the cooling effect through controlled foaming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Duration of action of moving object

If the intumescent layer undergoes inhomogeneous foaming, then expansion occurs, but radiative heat transmission increases undermining fire-resistant performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistance durationVSAvoidradiative heat transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The phase separation additive modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the intumescent layer, controlling its foaming behavior. This results in homogeneous expansion that maintains fire resistance duration while minimizing radiative heat transmission through the glazing assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 phase separation additive enhances the fire-resistant glazing's performance by reducing heat-shock and improving insulation, maintaining transparency during normal use and early stages of a fire, while adhering to regulatory standards.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporation of a phase separation additive in the intumescent layer to cause controlled phase separation at a temperature below the activation temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase separation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

If the intumescent layer is heated to an activation temperature the intumescent layer will intumesce, forming a highly insulating mass. Such intumescence is associated with expansion and foaming of the intumescent layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescence: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 3

In addition, many intumescent layers contain water, and will release water as vapour, providing a cooling effect that reduces the conduction of heat through the fire-resistant glazing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

forming a highly insulating mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4415966B1Fire-resistant glazing
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 PILKINGTON GRP LTD
  • EP4415966B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4415966B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4415966B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6

AI summary

This invention relates to a fire-resistant glazing (1), a precursor solution for forming an intumescent layer (30) of a fire-resistant glazing (1), a method of manufacturing the fire-resistant glazing (1), and to the use of a fire-resistant glazing (1). More specifically, the present invention relates to a fire-resistant glazing (1) which comprises a phase separation additive and to the manufacture and use thereof.