Flame Retardant Layer for GRP Mineral Wool Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective instrument casings with a multi-layered sandwich element configuration, using GRP exterior walls and a mineral wool intermediate layer, fail to adequately protect components from destruction at extremely high fire temperatures above 1000°C, as the mineral wool's flash point is exceeded, leading to rapid destruction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flame retardant layer between the GRP exterior walls and the mineral wool intermediate layer, which keeps heat away from the mineral wool, thereby increasing the casing's service life and ensuring the protected component remains below a defined temperature, with the flame retardant layer also acting as an adhesive for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional multi-layered sandwich element configuration with GRP exterior walls and mineral wool intermediate layer is used, then good fire protection for about 30-35 minutes at 800°C is achieved, but the casing fails to protect components at extremely high temperatures above 1000°C because the mineral wool's flash point is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
A flame retardant layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the GRP exterior wall and the mineral wool intermediate layer. This flame retardant layer acts as a mediator that delays heat transfer to the mineral wool, preventing it from reaching its flash point even when exposed to temperatures above 1000°C. The flame retardant layer composition includes water (30-70 wt%), binder (5-30 wt%), and flame retardant additive (5-30 wt%), creating a protective barrier that extends component protection time to at least 60 minutes.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the mineral wool intermediate layer is directly exposed to heat from GRP exterior walls, then the casing structure remains simple, but the service life is limited because the mineral wool reaches its flash point at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The casing wall is segmented into multiple functional layers: an outer GRP exterior wall, a flame retardant layer in between, and an inner mineral wool intermediate layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the GRP provides structural integrity, the flame retardant layer delays heat transfer, and the mineral wool provides thermal insulation. The flame retardant layer is applied as a coating on the mineral wool or as a separate layer, creating a multi-layered protective structure that extends service life to at least 60 minutes without significantly complicating the overall casing design.
3Reliability
If no flame retardant layer is used, then the casing configuration is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the component protection time is limited to 30-35 minutes even at 800°C
Solution Approach 1:
The flame retardant layer is applied in advance to the mineral wool intermediate layer or positioned between the GRP exterior wall and mineral wool during the manufacturing process. This preliminary action ensures that the protective function is built into the casing structure before it is put into service. The flame retardant layer composition (water 30-70 wt%, binder 5-30 wt%, flame retardant additive 5-30 wt%) is designed to provide immediate protection upon exposure to fire, extending component protection time to at least 60 minutes without requiring complex post-manufacturing modifications.
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 flame retardant layer significantly extends the service life of the casing, allowing reliable protection of components for at least 60 minutes at temperatures up to 1700°C, maintaining the component's temperature below a limiting temperature, and providing a fire resistance rating of at least 60 minutes under test conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the flame retardant layer keeps the heat of the exothermically combusting GRP exterior walls away from the mineral wool intermediate layer for a long time
Implementation Method 2
the combustion of hydrocarbons, caused among other things by exothermic combustion of the GRP exterior walls
Data Source
AI summary
A casing is particularly suited as a protective instrument casing. At least one component that is to be protected is accommodated in the casing. The casing has a casing wall configured as a multi-layered sandwich element, the casing wall being formed by two outer GRP (glass reinforced plastic) exterior walls which are spaced apart from one another and made from a glass-fiber plastic material. A core of mineral wool is arranged and accommodated between the walls, forming a mineral wool intermediate layer. A flame-retardant layer is located between at least one of the GRP exterior walls and the mineral wool intermediate layer; in particular the mineral wool intermediate layer is coated with a flame retardant layer on at least one of its sides which face the GRP exterior walls.