Types of Fire Retardant Paints and the Best Brands of Fire Protection Compounds
The industry offers several ways to protect wood, metal and other structures against fire. Materials that have similar properties include fire retardant paint. In addition to the specified characteristics, this material, depending on its composition, provides protection against moisture and other negative environmental influences.
The principle of operation of flame retardant paints
Fire retardant paint solves the following tasks:
- prevents fire;
- prevents flame spread to other structures;
- absorbs heat, due to which less toxic substances enter the atmosphere;
- emits gases or water (depending on the type of paint and varnish);
- accelerates the formation of charcoal.
The principle of operation of a refractory material depends on the characteristics of the composition. In addition, each type of paint performs the functions listed above. Only the ignition prevention mechanism is changed.
Refractory dyes are divided into non-blowing and blowing types. The latter, when heated, increases by 10-50 times (that is, the thickness of the coating can reach 100 millimeters), thereby forming a hermetic porous shell.The expanded surface layer prevents the spread of fire by cutting off the oxygen supply. That is to say, the paint thus extinguishes the flame.
Non-blowing materials work differently. When heated, these compositions initiate decomposition processes, which lead to the formation of a coating on the surface whose characteristics are comparable to those of liquid glass. However, intumescent materials are more effective in fighting fire than non-intumescent materials.
Varieties and composition
The composition of paints that create a fireproof coating is varied. Additionally, the types of components that contain these materials are often not disclosed by manufacturers. However, the basis of these dyes is the same. Materials with refractory properties are subdivided into water-based, water-dispersion and acrylic materials. There are also compositions based on acrylate, styrene butadiene and polyvinyl acetate.
Single component acrylic
Acrylic paints are considered the most common type of refractory paints and varnishes. This material contains:
- flame retardant filler (perlite, talc or other substances are used);
- pigment;
- additives;
- binder component.
As noted, the exact composition of acrylic paint varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. This paint material is universal, as it is suitable for processing various surfaces. To protect materials from fire, mostly white and gray acrylic paints are used. But the color palette is not limited to the indicated shades.
Dispersible in water
This water-based dye consists of the following components:
- polyvinyl acetate;
- vermiculite;
- active graphite and other mineral additives.
Water-based paints are environmentally friendly, easy to apply and adhere well to surfaces. Such paints are characterized by economical consumption and dry quickly.
Moisture resistant
Moisture-resistant paint is based on solvent-miscible organic epoxy resin.In the role of the latter, white spirit and xylene are used. This type of dye is superior to acrylic in that this composition can be used when working in rooms with high humidity.
Apps
The scope of paints with flame retardant properties is determined depending on the composition. Equipment of this type is used in the treatment:
- concrete and iron structures;
- drink;
- steel structures;
- ventilation and air supply systems;
- facades and roof structures;
- windows (including openings);
- cables.
The need to process concrete and iron structures is due to the fact that the bearing capacity of the latter in case of fire decreases after 5-20 minutes. Steel objects are painted for the same reason. This material loses its original properties 1-5 minutes after the start of a fire.
Choice criteria
The selection criteria directly depend on the scope of application of paint materials. For wood, it is recommended to purchase finishing materials containing antiseptics. These substances prevent the spread of mold and mildew. For metal processing, paint materials based on silicate or potassium glass are used. Such a product must also provide protection against corrosion.
For finishing the concrete surface, dyes or compositions in aqueous dispersion with mineral or inorganic binders are used.
In addition, when choosing paint materials, you should focus on the following criteria:
- lifetime;
- incombustibility;
- environmental friendliness (when heated, paint materials should not emit toxic substances);
- resistance to external influences.
It is important that the paint and varnish material over time does not crack and does not peel off under the influence of the external environment. Due to this, the coating loses its flame retardant properties.
Review of the best brands
Among refractory paints, products of the following brands stand out:
- Tikkurila Spa. Withstands direct heating up to 600 degrees. It is used to treat the surfaces of barbecues and other similar structures.
- Elcon. Russian manufacturer of paint and varnish materials with heating temperatures up to 1000 degrees. Products of this brand can be used for painting the interior surfaces of ovens.
- KO-870. The dye is mainly used for finishing industrial machine tools and car mufflers. The composition can withstand heating up to 750 degrees.
- Certa Plast. Russian brand that produces paint materials with anti-corrosion properties. Certa Plast paint is resistant to temperature changes from -60 to +900 degrees.
- "Celsite" enamels of this brand are recommended for processing metal surfaces exposed to heating up to 600 degrees.
- Hansa. Paint materials of this Russian brand are used for painting stainless metals. The material can withstand heating up to 800 degrees.
- hammerite. A British brand that produces paints suitable for treating rusty metals. The coating can withstand heating up to 600 degrees.
Upon reaching the specified heating limits, the material loses its original properties and decomposes.In this case, the duration of exposure to an open flame on the coating varies according to the manufacturer and the composition. This indicator is usually indicated on the container containing the dye.
Application technology
Surface painting with flame retardant paint materials is carried out in four stages. First, the base is prepared, for which you need:
- Remove the old paint from the surface.
- Remove rust, salt and dirt.
- Degrease the surface with acetone or other solvents.
At the first stage, depending on the characteristics of the surface, the base is processed using power tools (grinder, etc.) or sandpaper. If the old paint material is not removed by conventional methods, special chemicals (washes) are used. It is recommended that all surface painting work be carried out outdoors or in ventilated areas.
At the second stage, the surface is treated with a primer. This is necessary to protect the wood from rotting and increase adhesion to the working base. In addition, thanks to the primer, the risk of flaking of the fire-retardant paint is reduced. After carrying out this procedure, it is necessary to wait at least three days until the applied material dries.
Painting technology depends on the characteristics of the surface. For processing large structures, it is recommended to use spray guns. In other cases, brushes are used, with the help of which hard-to-reach places are painted, and rollers. Refractory paints are produced in strict compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations. In particular, it is necessary to apply as many layers of material as indicated on the packaging.
At the end of the procedure, the surface should be treated with varnish produced by the same manufacturer.The top coat protects the base coat from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation.
About the Certificate of Conformity
Each fire retardant paint comes with a fire safety certificate. This document confirms the quality of the material. A certificate is issued only after tests during which the fire-retardant characteristics of paint materials declared by the manufacturer, as well as the ability of the coating to withstand the effects of open fire, are verified.
This document is issued for all paints entering Russian markets. That is, a certificate of conformity is issued, including for foreign products. It is impossible to acquire refractory paints and varnishes without this document.