Fire retardant coatings are chemical substances that have been chemically engineered to alter their properties such that they become highly resistant to combustion. Fuels for instance have this property added into their chemical composition so they become less likely to burn. This reduces the likelihood of fatalities in the energy industry. These substances may be chemical in nature of their working, or may be physical.
A good example that shows the working of these materials is the use of carbon dioxide in fighting flames. The carbon dioxide which is normally packed in extinguishers acts as a retardant. When it is sprayed onto a flame, the gas separates the fuel and the oxygen in the air. This makes the reaction at the flame impossible to continue and the reaction stops.
In the manufacture of these materials, there are basically two types, namely chemical and physical acting substances. Chemical kinds are those which stop the spread of flames through their chemical properties. Intumescents are an example of this action. They are put on the surfaces of objects and swell to provide insulation whenever emergencies occur.
Secondly, we have those repellants that work in the gaseous state in their efforts to stop spread. These are mainly hydrocarbons, organic in nature belonging to the haloalkane group and work by interrupting the fusing of oxygen and the fuel that is burning. Once this interruption occurs, the flame can no longer sustain itself and it dies.
Thirdly, there are also those materials which work best in solid state in their efforts to minimize the damage that flames are capable of. These materials, when subjected to high temperatures, melt and flow to cover the burning object. Through this, they offer a kind of barrier such that the object is insulated completely.
Physical retardation happens differently. These materials only change the physical properties of their surroundings so that a flame cannot survive in that harsh condition. Coolants lower the temperature to levels that cannot sustain combustion while others displace oxygen to stop the reaction completely. Carbon dioxide is a good example of a gas that is heavier than oxygen, thus displaces it.
Retardants are widely used all over the world in various respects depending on the situation at hand. Some reactions will only respond to chemical methods while others will be stopped by physical means. Forest fires for instance are controlled by flame retardant spray. Fireproofing wood is done because it is highly susceptible to combustion.
A good example that shows the working of these materials is the use of carbon dioxide in fighting flames. The carbon dioxide which is normally packed in extinguishers acts as a retardant. When it is sprayed onto a flame, the gas separates the fuel and the oxygen in the air. This makes the reaction at the flame impossible to continue and the reaction stops.
In the manufacture of these materials, there are basically two types, namely chemical and physical acting substances. Chemical kinds are those which stop the spread of flames through their chemical properties. Intumescents are an example of this action. They are put on the surfaces of objects and swell to provide insulation whenever emergencies occur.
Secondly, we have those repellants that work in the gaseous state in their efforts to stop spread. These are mainly hydrocarbons, organic in nature belonging to the haloalkane group and work by interrupting the fusing of oxygen and the fuel that is burning. Once this interruption occurs, the flame can no longer sustain itself and it dies.
Thirdly, there are also those materials which work best in solid state in their efforts to minimize the damage that flames are capable of. These materials, when subjected to high temperatures, melt and flow to cover the burning object. Through this, they offer a kind of barrier such that the object is insulated completely.
Physical retardation happens differently. These materials only change the physical properties of their surroundings so that a flame cannot survive in that harsh condition. Coolants lower the temperature to levels that cannot sustain combustion while others displace oxygen to stop the reaction completely. Carbon dioxide is a good example of a gas that is heavier than oxygen, thus displaces it.
Retardants are widely used all over the world in various respects depending on the situation at hand. Some reactions will only respond to chemical methods while others will be stopped by physical means. Forest fires for instance are controlled by flame retardant spray. Fireproofing wood is done because it is highly susceptible to combustion.
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