Silicone resin polymer for PIN PUR foam
Several silicone resins were synthesised from silanes, then coated / polymerised onto polyurethane (PUR) foams by immersion in xylene-dispersed silicone resin with polyetheramine cross-linking agent then curing, with c. 5% silicone resin loading on the PUR foam.
Peak heat release was reduced from over 190 (neat foam) to just over 60 kW/m2 and LOI nearly doubled from 15 to 29 %. Analysis shows that the silicone polymer transforms into a self-extinguishing silica char barrier in fire. The authors suggest that this approach could provide new and effective PIN solutions for improving both fire and mechanical performances of foams.
“A novel and facile strategy for highly flame retardant polymer foam composite materials: Transforming silicone resin coating into silica self-extinguishing layer”, Q. Wu et al., Journal of Hazardous Materials 336 (2017) 222–231 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.04.062