This article presents an experimental investigation of ignition and burning behaviors of intumescent coatings and nanoparticles applied on flaxboard using the cone calorimeter, single burning item (SBI) and reduced scale (one-third) ISO room. The effects of intumescent coatings and nanoparticles on time to ignition (TTI), mass loss rate (MLR), heat release rate (HRR), production of toxic gases (carbon monoxide and smoke) were investigated. The performance of intumescent coatings in under-ventilated condition was examined by performing tests in the one-third ISO room with reduced opening sizes. Results in the cone calorimeter and SBI indicated that (1) there is a substantial increase of TTI and decrease of MLR/HRR by intumescent coatings and (2) the addition of nanoparticles results in a further increase of TTI as well as a decrease of MLR/HRR owing to increased stability of the char. Tests in the one-third ISO room showed that although the intumescent coatings reduce the HRR the reduction is much less substantial than that in the cone calorimeter or SBI.
Experimental study on the onset of swelling for thin intumescent coatings
