Background

Structural steel begins to soften at temperatures above 600 degrees Celsius, which is easily reached in a serious fire. Current regulations demand that load bearing steel is protected during a fire, giving one hour of extra time before softening. This is usually done using intumescent paints, which react and expand on exposure to heat, producing a protective 'char' of about 100 times thickness of the original coating layer. Intumescent paints tend to be expensive and there is a desire to improve the protection afforded.

The technology

Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University have successfully combined a range of nanoscale materials with intumescent paint formulations, to produce enhanced protection at higher temperatures. A UK and PCT application has been filed.

Benefits

The new intumescent formulations produce enhanced protection at higher temperatures. As a result steel substrates reach softening temperature more slowly, which gives the potential for longer protection windows or the ability to reduce the thickness of the paint. The use of nanomaterials instead of other additives also gives the potential of lower materials cost in paint.

Development stage

The University is seeking licensing and joint development partners to upscale coating formulations to industrial level processes. Small quantities of effective formulations have been produced and coated onto steel. Successful tests in hydrocarbon furnaces have carried out independently, with final product development required in order to upscale to full production.

Lead researcher(s)

Professor Chris Breen