Abstract
A diversity of chemicals is used to produce fire retardants (FRs); some of the main group of chemicals are hazardous to the environment as well as to human life; however, expandable graphite (EG) can be a gateway to a more environmentally friendly FRs or intumescent fire retardants (IFRs). Researchers define intumescent as the swelling of a particular substance placed between a heat source and an underlying substrate when they are heated. EG is a material with extraordinary thermophysical and mechanical properties. The referred EG properties are unparalleled. EG is a low-density carbon material having a series of unique properties: developed specific surface, binder-free pressing capacity, stability to aggressive media, and low thermal conductivity. Therefore, EG is a promising material both for research work and for industrial applications. The primary goal of this literature review was to report current knowledge on the use of EG as a fire retardant for cellulose and cellulose-modified materials. EG is produced, among other methods, by thermal shock of graphite oxide under forming gas. When exposed to heat, EG will expand. The expansion mechanism was presented in this review. Equally important to this review is the knowledge related to cellulose thermal degradation and cellulose impact on the development of science and technology.
Highlights
Introduction to the Mechanism of FireRetardantsFire retardants (FRs) are chemicals added to combustible materials to improve their resistance to ignition [1]
Reactive fire retardants (FRs) are dose polymerized with resin during the processing of cellulosic material to become integrated into its molecular network structure
The footprints of fire retardants point to an effective ideal fire retardant that should comprise of the following characteristics: thermal stability, compatibility with the protected polymer, no change in the physical-chemical properties of the protected polymer, and low toxicity under heat exposure or during burning [3]
Summary
Fire retardants (FRs) are chemicals added to combustible materials to improve their resistance to ignition [1]. The main goal of FR systems is to reduce the heat released from the polymer under combustion to levels that lead to flame stability of the polymer This can be achieved by modifying the rate of chemical or physical processes taking place in one or more of the steps of the burning mechanism of the material [6]. Focusing on the molecular weight (MW) of the polymer during the thermal degradation process, most authors agree that on the first stage, there is a very slight reduction in MW, on the middle stage, there is a slow decrease in MW, and on the final stage, a rapid drop in MW occurs These FRs are designed to minimize the risk of a fire starting in case of contact with a small heat source, such as a cigarette, candle, or an electrical fault. Applying IFR coatings is one of the most efficient ways of providing fire retardancy to flammable materials [11]
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