HEFEST · Smart fire-retardant coatings based on intumescent nanocomposites

In Europe, annual fire losses reach 80 billion €, meaning more than 1% of EU GDP, 4000 people die and another 80000 suffer terrible burns. The use of fire retarding intumescent coatings play an important role in Fire Safety being this subsector mainly comprised by SMEs. Nowadays, a variety of fire intumescent coatings is available presenting diverse drawbacks such as: poor behaviour when ageing, poor liquid stability, heat blocking and smoke suppressant properties. Intumescent coatings are obtained by high loadings of reactive components which upon burning swell up creating a protective char layer. HEFEST project aims at developing new intumescent paints and varnishes by means of nanocomposite structures and nanofillers (hybrid organic-inorganic systems, carbon nanotubes…) obtaining halogen-free flame retardants as active intumescent components reactive from nanoscale, with the following advantages: •High durability during service-life (Fire resistance losses< 25% after ETAG 018-part 2 point 5.7.2.2 ageing test) •Liquid stability and easy appliance •Increased heat blocking and protection of the underlying substrate (FR≥90) •Good fire resistance behaviour in the protection of off-shore constructions (good hydrocarbon curve results) •Smoke suppressant properties (30% reduction in gas emission), limitation of spread of fire and smoke within construction works ( ETAG 018) HEFEST counts on a well balanced consortium of 5 SMEs, 2 RTDs and a professional association specialized in organic coatings for the diffusion of the results.. SMEs have in common their conviction on innovation as the best tool to improve their competitiveness in a sector in which big multinationals are ever gaining market share. SMEs partners are complementary and cover the whole project necessities: fire retardants, nanocomposite, resins producers, paint manufacturer and end-users. The RTDs cover the three necessary scientific fields: Coatings, Nanotechnology and resistance to fire.