Analyzing the Working Principle of Flame Retardants in the Glue Automatic Fire Suppression Material

In modern industry and daily life, fire safety is of utmost importance. As a widely used material, glue plays a crucial role in numerous fields. To enhance the safety of glue in fire scenarios, flame retardants are often added. This article will delve deeply into the working principle of the flame retardants in the glue Automatic Fire Suppression Material.

Basic Concepts and Classification of Flame Retardants

Flame retardants are substances that can inhibit or delay the combustion of materials. According to their chemical structures, flame retardants can be classified into organic flame retardants and inorganic flame retardants. According to their relationship with the flame-retarded materials, they can be divided into additive flame retardants and reactive flame retardants. In the glue Automatic Fire Suppression Material, various types of flame retardants may be used to achieve the best flame-retardant effect.

Working Principle of Flame Retardants

(A) Endothermic Effect

The heat released by any combustion within a relatively short period is limited. Flame retardants will undergo a strong endothermic reaction under high-temperature conditions, absorbing part of the heat released by combustion, thus reducing the temperature of the surface of the combustible material. For example, before reaching its thermal decomposition temperature, the Al(OH)₃ flame retardant can absorb more heat by increasing the heat capacity of the polymer. This effectively inhibits the generation of flammable gases and prevents the spread of combustion. When the glue encounters a fire source, the flame retardant in it reduces the temperature of the glue through this endothermic mechanism, making it difficult for the glue to reach its ignition point, thus delaying the occurrence of combustion.

(B) Covering Effect

After adding flame retardants to the combustible material, the flame retardants can form a glassy or stable foam covering layer at high temperatures. Take organic phosphorus-based flame retardants as an example. When heated, they can produce a cross-linked solid substance or a carbonized layer with a more stable structure. This covering layer can isolate oxygen, insulate heat, and prevent the outward escape of flammable gases. When the glue Automatic Fire Suppression Material burns, the covering layer formed by the flame retardant will create a barrier on the surface of the glue, preventing oxygen from coming into contact with the glue and cutting off one of the necessary conditions for combustion, thus achieving the flame-retardant purpose. At the same time, the covering layer can also prevent further heat transfer to the glue, slowing down the thermal decomposition rate of the glue.

(C) Inhibition of Chain Reaction

According to the chain reaction theory of combustion, free radicals are required to maintain combustion. Flame retardants can act in the gas-phase combustion zone, capturing the free radicals in the combustion reaction, thereby preventing the spread of the flame. Halogen-containing flame retardants are typical representatives in this regard. Their evaporation temperature is the same as or close to the decomposition temperature of the polymer. When the glue decomposes upon heating, the halogen-containing flame retardant also volatilizes simultaneously. The halogen can then capture the free radicals in the combustion reaction, reducing the flame density in the combustion zone. Eventually, the combustion reaction rate decreases until it stops. During the combustion of the glue, the flame retardant that inhibits the chain reaction can effectively interrupt the chain reaction of combustion, quickly extinguishing the flame or preventing its further spread.

(D) Asphyxiation Effect of Non-flammable Gases

When flame retardants are heated, they decompose to produce non-flammable gases. These non-flammable gases dilute the concentration of the flammable gases decomposed from the combustible material to below the lower combustion limit. At the same time, they also have a diluting effect on the oxygen concentration in the combustion zone. For example, some flame retardants decompose upon heating to produce non-flammable gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen. These gases fill the surroundings of the glue, reducing the concentration of flammable gases and oxygen, preventing the continuation of combustion, and achieving the flame-retardant effect. When a fire occurs, the non-flammable gases decomposed by the flame retardants in the glue Automatic Fire Suppression Material can, to a certain extent, create a relatively inert environment that inhibits the combustion of the glue.

Synergistic Effects of Different Types of Flame Retardants in Glue

In practical applications, to obtain a better flame-retardant effect, multiple flame retardants are often compounded in the glue Automatic Fire Suppression Material. Different types of flame retardants can act at different stages and in different ways, synergizing with each other to improve the overall flame-retardant performance. For example, when halogen-containing flame retardants and organic phosphorus-based flame retardants are used in combination, the halogen-containing flame retardants inhibit the chain reaction in the gas phase, and the organic phosphorus-based flame retardants form a covering layer in the condensed phase. The two complement each other, being able to more effectively prevent the combustion of the glue.

Factors Affecting the Effect of Flame Retardants

(A) Addition Amount of Flame Retardants

The addition amount of flame retardants has a significant impact on their flame-retardant effect. Generally speaking, insufficient addition may not fully exert the flame-retardant effect, while excessive addition may affect other properties of the glue, such as bonding strength and flexibility. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the optimal addition amount of flame retardants through experiments and tests to balance the flame-retardant performance and other performance requirements of the glue.

(B) Composition and Structure of Glue

The chemical composition and molecular structure of the glue will affect the compatibility between the flame retardants and the glue, as well as the effect of the flame retardants. Different types of glues, such as epoxy resin glues and polyurethane glues, have different adaptabilities to flame retardants. When selecting flame retardants, it is necessary to consider the specific composition and structure of the glue to ensure that the flame retardants can be uniformly dispersed in the glue and interact with the molecules of the glue to exert the best flame-retardant effect.

(C) Usage Environment

The usage environment of the glue, such as temperature, humidity, and oxygen concentration, will also affect the performance of the flame retardants. In a high-temperature environment, the decomposition rate of the flame retardants may accelerate, so it is necessary to select flame retardants with good thermal stability. In a humid environment, some flame retardants may undergo reactions such as hydrolysis, reducing the flame-retardant effect. Therefore, it is necessary to select flame retardants with good water resistance.

The flame retardants in the glue Automatic Fire Suppression Material effectively improve the fire safety of the glue through various methods such as endothermic effect, covering effect, inhibition of chain reaction, and asphyxiation effect of non-flammable gases. In practical applications, factors such as the type of flame retardants, addition amount, composition and structure of the glue, and the usage environment need to be comprehensively considered to achieve the best flame-retardant effect and provide reliable protection for people’s lives and property. With the continuous progress of science and technology, it is expected that more efficient and environmentally friendly flame retardants and flame-retardant technologies will be developed in the future, further enhancing the fire resistance of glue and other materials.

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