Talk:Flame retardant

Description

A flame-retardant chemical is a chemical that can help interrupt the burning process. Flame-retardant chemicals can be used to slow down a pre-existing fire. This is different from fire-resistant chemicals. Fire-resistant chemicals are used to make it harder for a fire to start.

Concept

A fire needs fuel, heat and oxygen to be able to burn. Flame-retardant chemicals limit the supply of one of these three items. This helps to slow down the fire.

Types of Flame-Retardant Chemicals

There are three types of flame retardant chemicals:

Vapor-Phase Inhibition

A fire needs a flammable gas like oxygen to burn. Vapor-Phase Inhibitors try to cut off the supply of flammable gas to the fire. Bromine Flame Retardants (BFR) are an example of vapor-phase inhibition flame retardants.

Solid-Phase Char Flame Retardants

When a piece of toast burns, a layer of 'char' (black substance) forms on the surface. This prevents the inside of the bread from getting burnt. Similarly, solid phase char flame retardants are designed to form a char layer after the fire starts. The char layer protects the material from the heat of the flame. It also stops the supply of flammable gas to the fire. Melamine-based fire retardants are an example of solid-phase char flame retardants.

Quench and Cool systems

Quench and Cool systems contain chemicals that release water molecules to cool the fire down. The release of water molecules also stops the supply of flammable gas to the fire. Aluminum and Magnesium hydroxide are examples of Quench and Cool systems.