Geopolymer Fireproofing Material Without Toxic Flame Retardants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fireproofing materials rely on environmentally harmful and toxic flame retardant additives, necessitating a shift towards non-toxic and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of geopolymer materials derived from pozzolanic materials like metakaolin, mixed with an alkaline activation solution, forming a viscoelastic suspension that polymerizes to create a flame-retardant geopolymer without toxic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional flame retardant additives are used for fireproofing, then fire resistance is achieved, but environmental harm and toxicity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidenvironmental harm and toxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using geopolymers with specific SiO2/Al2O3 ratios (1.5-4) and controlled hydroxide concentrations (3-8 M), transforming the fireproofing mechanism from toxic additive-based to natural geopolymerization-based, achieving fire resistance without environmental harm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs composite geopolymer materials formed by combining pozzolanic materials (metakaolin, fly ash, or silica fume) with alkaline activation solutions, creating a multi-component system that achieves fireproofing through synergistic interactions rather than toxic single-substance additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If geopolymer materials are used for fireproofing, then environmental friendliness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality control by specifying particular ranges for SiO2/Al2O3 ratios (1.5-4) and hydroxide concentrations (3-8 M) in different regions of the activation solution, allowing optimization of both environmental performance and manufacturing simplicity through targeted parameter control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The geopolymerization process is self-service in nature, utilizing the natural chemical reactions between pozzolanic materials and alkaline solutions to form fire-resistant geopolymers without requiring complex external equipment or multiple processing stages, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Produces a completely natural, non-toxic fire-retardant material without chemical additives, achieving effective fireproofing through geopolymerization.

Implementation Method 1

a pozzolanic material such as metakaolin, which, when mixed with an activation solution containing an alkaline base and at least one silicate, dissolves, forming a viscoelastic suspension

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

This polymerization reaction is a geopolymerization reaction in that inorganic polymers are formed during the reaction. These inorganic polymers are essentially composed of 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-OPO-) motifs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeopolymerization: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4069654B1Method for fireproofing material
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 ISOLFEU CREATION

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for fireproofing material, comprising the steps of: a) bringing said material in contact with a viscoelastic suspension obtained by mixing a pozzolanic material with an alkaline activation solution comprising at least one soluble metal hydroxide; b) geopolymerizing said viscoelastic suspension; c) obtaining a fireproof material comprising a geopolymer. The invention also relates to fireproof materials comprising a geopolymer.