Sophie Duquesne, ENSCL >(National Higher School of Chemistry Lille, France), presented research into different PIN flame retardancy strategies in polyurethane. Additive inorganic PIN flame retardants (APP ammonium polyphosphate + nano magnesium oxide) showed to be effective by producing a consistent char, with magnesium phosphate formation contributing to char effectiveness.
A reactive PIN FR package based in siloxanes reacted into the polyurethane polymer showed a 25% reduction in peak heat release rate, with generation of a silicon char fire barrier. Surface coatings are also being investigated, using low-pressure plasma to polymerise monomer substances deposited on the foam surface, but more cost-effective application processes need to be developed for this to be industrially feasible.