Thermal decomposition and fire response of non-halogenated polymer-based thermal coatings for concrete structures

This work highlights the thermal decomposition and fire-protective behaviour of two polymer-based coatings for concrete. The coatings are entirely free of halogenated compounds. Although the combustion behaviour of the coatings is different from classical intumescence, their action is based on a condensed-phase mechanism, which creates a steep temperature gradient between the coating surface and the coating-concrete interface. When subjected to the ISO 834 heating curve, one of the coatings could prevent the temperature of the interface from rising above 345 °C even after 3 h (corresponding furnace temperature is 1114 °C). Heat transfer simulation corroborates the observed fire-protective behaviour and shows that it may have potential for use on structural members. Analysis of the concentration of several gases produced by the burning of the coatings shows that they do not pose an immediate danger to life and health.