Self-Healing Fire Seal Composition for High-Temperature Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fire-seal materials are expensive and lack long-term durability in harsh, high-temperature environments, necessitating the development of more effective and cost-efficient solutions.

Innovation Solution

The fire seal comprises an amorphous material supported by a fire-resistant bulk material, which can include nano-clay additives and an infrared-reflective coating, providing enhanced thermal stability and self-healing capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current fire-seal materials are used, then fire resistance is provided, but cost is high and long-term durability in harsh environments is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-term durabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fire seal employs a composite structure consisting of a bulk material providing fire resistance and an amorphous material layer providing self-healing capabilities. This composite approach combines the advantages of different materials to achieve both durability and cost-effectiveness, as the amorphous material can autonomously repair thermal damage without requiring expensive replacement of the entire seal assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If fire-resistant materials are used in high-temperature environments, then thermal stability is provided, but material degradation occurs over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The amorphous material in the fire seal exhibits self-healing properties that allow it to autonomously repair thermal damage and degradation without external intervention. When exposed to high temperatures, the amorphous material can reflow and seal micro-cracks or damage areas, thereby extending the service life of the fire seal in high-temperature environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fire seal utilizes materials with specific thermal properties, including a bulk material with high decomposition temperature and an amorphous material with appropriate glass transition temperature. These parameter selections ensure the materials maintain stability at operating temperatures while the amorphous material remains capable of self-healing through controlled softening and reflow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional fire seal materials are used, then basic fire resistance is achieved, but resistance to fluid penetration and pressure holding are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid resistanceVSAvoidpressure hold capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The amorphous material forms a flexible yet effective barrier layer that can conform to the seal geometry and provide enhanced resistance to fluid penetration. This amorphous layer acts as a flexible film that maintains pressure holding capability while resisting harmful fluid factors, improving overall seal reliability in demanding applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This configuration achieves improved thermal resistance, self-healing properties, and reduced oxygen diffusion rates, thereby enhancing the durability and effectiveness of fire seals in high-temperature applications.

Implementation Method 1

The amorphous material has a glass transition temperature, and the glass transition temperature is between approximately 200° C. and approximately 600° C.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGlass transition:

Implementation Method 2

an infrared-reflective coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

nanoclay material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion barrier: Diffusion Barrier

Data Source

PatentEP4306175B1Fire seals with self-healing properties
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 THE BOEING CO
  • EP4306175B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4306175B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4306175B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5A

AI summary

A fire seal having self-healing material properties includes an amorphous material and a bulk material supporting the amorphous material. The bulk material is fire resistant.