Fire Protection Sealing Mass Composition Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire protection sealing masses with a binder based on a combination of aqueous polymer dispersion and alkyd resin have a limited shelf life due to water and solvent absorption, leading to coagulation and increased viscosity, and contain expensive and reactive components like zinc borate, which can cause acid development and reduce stability.

Innovation Solution

A simplified composition using an aqueous or solvent-based polymer dispersion with a physically acting expanding agent, phosphorus compounds, and acid-resistant inorganic fillers, eliminating zinc borate and cellulose, and incorporating glass fibers and expandable graphite for enhanced stability and fire protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a binder based on aqueous polymer dispersion and alkyd resin is used, then fire protection properties are achieved, but shelf life is limited due to water and solvent absorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection propertiesVSAvoidshelf life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the problematic alkyd resin component from the binder system, retaining only the aqueous polymer dispersion. This extraction of the harmful element (alkyd resin that causes phase separation and crystallization) eliminates the shelf life limitation while preserving the fire protection functionality through the remaining polymer dispersion and intumescent additives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the binder composition by changing the parameter of resin type from alkyd-based to polymer dispersion-based, and adjusts the solvent system from aromatic hydrocarbons to water or alternative solvents. This parameter change transforms the composition from one with limited shelf life to one with extended stability while maintaining fire safety properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If zinc borate is added as a fire protection additive, then intumescence is enhanced, but cost increases and acid development occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection propertiesVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates zinc borate from the composition, removing the source of acid development and cost increase. The fire protection functionality is maintained through alternative intumescent additives and the polymer dispersion binder system, reducing composition complexity while preserving safety performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive zinc borate with more cost-effective fire protection additives. The composition uses alternative intumescent agents that are less costly but achieve similar or superior fire protection effects, reducing material costs without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If ammonium polyphosphate and zinc borate are used together, then fire protection is improved, but acid development occurs over storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection propertiesVSAvoidacid development
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes zinc borate from the additive mix, eliminating the harmful acid development reaction. The ammonium polyphosphate remains as a fire protection additive but without the problematic interaction that causes acid formation and decomposition of acid-labile components during storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the harmful interaction between ammonium polyphosphate and zinc borate (which causes acid development) into a beneficial or neutral system by eliminating zinc borate. The composition achieves fire protection through ammonium polyphosphate and polymer dispersion without the harmful side reactions, converting a harmful combination into a stable, non-reactive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Stability of the object's composition

If cellulose is added to bind water, then dispersion stability is improved, but mixing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispersion stabilityVSAvoidmixing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for cellulose by removing the problematic alkyd resin component that caused water binding issues. The aqueous polymer dispersion maintains stability without requiring cellulose additives, simplifying the composition and mixing process while preserving dispersion stability and preventing coagulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 composition achieves improved shelf life and cost-effectiveness without compromising fire protection properties, forming stable and hard ash crusts that maintain insulating effects even at elevated temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

additives are added to the sealing masses which cause the sealing mass to expand or intumesce at elevated temperatures, such as in the case of fire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescence: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 2

the sealing mass contains a binder based on a combination of an acrylate dispersion and an alkyd resin, fire protection additives, including those that produce intumescence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

forming stable and hard ash crusts that maintain insulating effects even at elevated temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVitrification: Vitrification

Data Source

PatentUS10927301B2Fire protection composition and use thereof
Publication Date: 2021.02.23 HILTI AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a fire protection composition comprising: a binder based on an aqueous, or solvent-based polymer dispersion; fire protection additives comprising a physically acting expanding agent, a compound containing phosphorus, selected from among salts or esters of phosphorus oxyacids, and glass fiber; and an acid-resistant, inorganic filler. The invention also relates to the use of said composition as a sealing mass, in particular as a fire protection sealing mass.