Abstract
Aim: To examine the fireproof capability of a fire-retardant coating (“Amotherm Steel Wb”), using an experiment-calculation approach to address inverse heat conduction problems during fire tests.
Methodology: Application of experimental research methods to samples, in accordance with the requirements of National Standards of Ukraine B.V. 1.1.-4-98 and N-P B V.11-29:2010, to examine the behaviour of samples which are exposed to a heating process. Utilising mathematical and computer modelling techniques to processes involving unsteady heat transfer in a procedure “Metal plate – Intumescent Fire Retardant Coating”, to determine thermal characteristics and fireproof capability of examined coating.
Results: Fire tests of metal sheets covered by the flame retardant “Amotherm Steel Wb” were performed in standard temperature conditions. Based on derived data (temperature from the unheated sheet surface), with the aid of a solution to the problem of inverse heat conduction, the thermal characteristics of a created fire-retardant coating were determined. The formation of a protective screen depends on temperature levels. The level of protection against fire for a sample metal construction R30 was 30 minutes.
Conclusions: The effectiveness of an intumescent coating “Amotherm Steel Wb” was verified. Research revealed a dependence relationship between the heat conduction coefficient and temperature of the metal sheet covered with this coating during heating in the experimental oven at standard temperature conditions. Additionally, it was discovered that within the temperature range from 0°С to 500°С the value of heat conductivity coefficient of coating decreases, compared with the exit value, and achieves the lowest value of 0.003 W/mK (at the temperature of 500°С). This may be explained by bulging of the coating and its increased porosity. Furthermore, the heat conductivity coefficient growth to the initial value adopts a linear pattern which explains the appearance of radioactive elements in the coating pores attributable to high temperature shrinkage and charring. A dependence relationship was identified between the thickness of intumescent coating “Amotherm Steel Wb” and fire-retarding quality of metal constructions. Additionally, the required minimal thickness of the fire retardant covering was calculated to ensure fire resistance parameters for 30 minutes. The required thickness of covering is dependent on the thickness of the metal plate.
Keywords: fireproof capability, fire-retardant coating, experiment-calculation method, thermal characteristics
Type of article: original scientific article