Effect of Si-Al Compounds on Fire Properties of Ultra-low Density Fiberboard

• Main Authors: Min Niu, Olle Hagman, Xiaodong (Alice) Wang, Yongqun Xie, Olov Karlsson, LiLi Cai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: North Carolina State University 2014-03-01
• Series: BioResources
• Subjects: Ultra-low density fiberboard; Si-Al compounds; Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); Fire properties; Cone Calorimete
• Online Access: http://ojs.cnr.ncsu.edu/index.php/BioRes/article/view/BioRes_09_2_2415_Niu_Fire_Properties_Fiberboard

An ultra-low density fiberboard was made of plant fiber using a liquid frothing approach. The inflammability of the plant fiber limited its application as a candidate for building insulation materials and packaging buffering materials. Si-Al compounds were introduced into the foaming system because of the high temperature resistance of Si and Al compounds. The results from energy-dispersive spectroscopy suggested that the Si and Al relatively evenly covered the surface of the fibers, and their weight ratios in the material increased as a function of the amount of Si-Al compounds. The increasing weight ratios of Si and Al affected the fire properties of the material, reducing the released amount of heat, smoke, and off-gases such as CO and CO2, as well as decreasing the mass loss percentage, shown through the use of a Cone Calorimeter. It follows that Si-Al compounds have an evident collaborative effect on the halogen fire retardant. The system can effectively restrain the fire hazard intensity and the yields of solid and gas volatiles.