Fire/Flammability Test of Polyurethane Foams and Protective Coatings.
Abstract
Foamed plastics offer a number of advantages in Theater of Operations (TO) construction. They can be shipped to a site in low-volume, high-density forms and converted to low-density, high-volume construction materials. The low-density forms thus made possess high strength and good stability and are typically excellent thermal insulators. They can be used either as primary structural materials (foam domes) or as secondary structural materials contributing to the rigidity and load-bearing capability of wood or metal framework (panelized buildings). The greatest drawback to use of foamed plastics is flammability; generally, such materials burn when subjected to fire, even with the best commercially available flame retardants incorporated. Protection of a structure (and its inhabitants) in which a foamed plastic has been used requires the development and evaluation of a protective coating to reduce flammability of the foamed plastic. The objective of this investigation was to develop a protective coating medium which will allow and encourage the use of foamed plastics in TO construction. Polyurethane foams were identified as the most probable candidates for TO construction; and because using available materials without adding new ones to the inventory stock list is desirable, a coating composed of portland cement, lime, sand, and water was developed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA028386
Entities
People
- Alvin Smith
Organizations
- Construction Engineering Research Laboratory