Geopolymer Composite Cable Layer for Fire Resistance and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire-resistant cable and cable accessory solutions lack flexibility, adhesion, and heat protection, and are not compatible with maintaining good mechanical and dielectric properties during fires, while also being costly and inefficient to produce.
Innovation Solution
A composite layer comprising an aluminosilicate geopolymer in gel form, combined with a low-viscosity organic polymer, which is mixed to create a homogeneous and flexible fire-resistant layer for cables and accessories, ensuring compatibility with other cable components and adhering to stringent fire resistance standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire-resistant materials (stone, brick, cement, lead, steel, concrete, rock wool, ceramics, geopolymers) are used to provide fire resistance, then fire resistance is improved, but flexibility and adhesion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining geopolymer binder with reinforcing fillers (silica, glass fibers) and flexible polymers (polyorganosiloxane). This creates a composite fire-resistant layer that maintains both fire protection capabilities and mechanical flexibility, resolving the contradiction between fire resistance and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fire-resistant material by using geopolymerization process to create a binder with specific properties. The geopolymer binder undergoes polycondensation to form a three-dimensional network structure that provides both fire resistance and flexibility when combined with appropriate fillers and polymers.
2Reliability
If multiple superposed insulating tapes comprising mica and glass fibers with polymer binder are used, then fire resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single fire-resistant layer. Instead of using multiple superposed insulating tapes, the invention combines fire-resistant properties, electrical insulation, and mechanical protection into one integrated layer made from geopolymer-based composite material, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials to achieve multiple functions simultaneously. The geopolymer-based composite layer provides fire resistance, electrical insulation, and mechanical strength in a single material system, eliminating the need for multiple separate layers and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional polymer-based insulating layers with fireproofing fillers are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but fire resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition and structure of the insulating layer by replacing conventional polymer-based materials with geopolymer-based composite material. The geopolymer binder undergoes polycondensation to form a heat-resistant three-dimensional network that significantly improves fire resistance while maintaining ease of manufacture through a single-layer application process.
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 solution provides excellent fire resistance, mechanical flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, allowing the cable or cable accessory to operate effectively in extreme heat conditions without compromising mechanical properties, adhering to standards such as IEC 60331-11 at 750°C for 120 minutes.
Implementation Method 1
geopolymers are essentially mineral chemical compounds or mixtures of compounds consisting of units of the silico-oxide (—Si—O—Si—O—), silico-aluminate (—Si—O—Al—O—), ferro-silico-aluminate (—Fe—O—Si—O—Al—O—), or alumino-phosphate (—Al—O—P—O—) type, created by a process of geopolymerization (i.e. polycondensation)
Implementation Method 2
created by a process of geopolymerization (i.e. polycondensation)
Implementation Method 3
The solution provides excellent fire resistance, mechanical flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, allowing the cable or cable accessory to operate effectively in extreme heat conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device comprising a cable and/or a cable accessory, said cable and/or said cable accessory comprising at least one composite layer obtained from a composite composition based on at least one aluminosilicate geopolymer composition and on at least one low-viscosity organic polymer or oligomer, and also to the process for preparing same.