Citation

Pereyra AM, Giudice CA. Fire Safety J. 2009; 44(4): 497-503.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.firesaf.2008.10.004

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to determine the fire performance of wood panels (Araucaria angustifolia) impregnated in a pressure vessel with post-cured alkaline silicates (water glasses). Several commercial silicates based on sodium ions and potassium ions with 3.0/1.0 and 3.5/1.0 silica/alkali molar ratios were selected. Various treatments for curing were applied for polymerization, creating metal silicate polymers of high water insolubility. Experimental panels were tested in a limiting oxygen chamber (limiting oxygen index) and in a two-foot tunnel (flame-spread index and panel consumption). Test results displayed a high fire-retardant efficiency of some post-cured alkaline silicates. Keywords: Wood; Flame-retardant impregnant; Soluble alkaline silicates; Limiting oxygen chamber; Two-foot tunnel