Testing the Effectiveness of Intumescent Materials as a Fire Retardant
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Mark Roll, University of Idaho
Presentation Date
7-15-2026
Abstract
In the western United States, recent wildfire disasters (e.g., Los Angeles) have highlighted the damage that can occur to structure and landscapes this has led to new interest in developing fire protection materials to reduce this damage to structures. Intumescent materials have been widely used as passive fire protection systems (e.g., in firestops) by expanding when exposed to high temperatures, forming achar layer that slows the rate of spread of the fire. While widely used in construction and industrial coatings, questions remain regarding their efficiency under varying heat exposures and material substrates.
I propose to explore possible Boron Nitrogen-Carbon based Intumescent materials and test their effectiveness to potentially help during wildfires. This experiment will measure the ability of different Intumescent materials to expand, and function effectively with a residence time of a fire. As a key task and added value for this project, a brief review will be undertaken from a list of references already gathered in preliminary efforts that refer to residence time.
The results will provide comparative performance data and assess the suitability of intumescent coatings as cost-effective fire retardants for small-scale construction applications. Findings may inform improved material selection for fire safety in residential and commercial structures.
Testing the Effectiveness of Intumescent Materials as a Fire Retardant
In the western United States, recent wildfire disasters (e.g., Los Angeles) have highlighted the damage that can occur to structure and landscapes this has led to new interest in developing fire protection materials to reduce this damage to structures. Intumescent materials have been widely used as passive fire protection systems (e.g., in firestops) by expanding when exposed to high temperatures, forming achar layer that slows the rate of spread of the fire. While widely used in construction and industrial coatings, questions remain regarding their efficiency under varying heat exposures and material substrates.
I propose to explore possible Boron Nitrogen-Carbon based Intumescent materials and test their effectiveness to potentially help during wildfires. This experiment will measure the ability of different Intumescent materials to expand, and function effectively with a residence time of a fire. As a key task and added value for this project, a brief review will be undertaken from a list of references already gathered in preliminary efforts that refer to residence time.
The results will provide comparative performance data and assess the suitability of intumescent coatings as cost-effective fire retardants for small-scale construction applications. Findings may inform improved material selection for fire safety in residential and commercial structures.