F.A.Shutov, PhD, DSc, Professor
President, F&D Innovative Composites Inc
Moscow, and
Los Angeles,
fshutov@yahoo.com
Fire Resistant Foams for Thermal Insulation
Fire resistant resol-novolak filled foams (brand name “FAS”) have been designed for thermal insulation of civil, industrial and sporting buildings and single-family houses as an alternative to non-fire resistant polystyrene foams using worldwide for the same applications. Moreover, the polystyrene foams generates “burning liquid droplets” at fire, which penetrate through small gaps in walls, ceilings and floors and accelerate the fire spread. FAS foams do not smoulder, do not generate burning droplets and they are used for thermal insulation of external concrete or wooden panels or as an internal layer of sandwich constructions and structures.
The developed FAS foams belong to the novel generation of environmental friendly casting resole-novolak foams (RNF). These RNF foams are based on liquid components and can be foamed either in situ, or in any open or closed molds without external heating within of wide range of ambient temperatures: from -300C to +300C. The FAS foams are based on commercial fire-resistant RNF resins as a porous binder, very inexpensive inorganic fillers based on solid waste, and patentable multi-purpose additives which provide the outstanding technical properties such as wide range of density and thermal conductivity, high strength, low water sorption, and high chemical and biological resistance.
The cost of formulation (raw materials) for commercial production of one cubic meter of fire resistant FAS foam (density of 30 kg/m3) is about $20/ m3, which at least 40% less for the non-fire resistant polystyrene foams from pre-expanded granules and 3 times less than for extruded polystyrene foams (with the same density).
Thus, the developed eco-friendly and very inexpensive FAS foams to resolve several urgent energy-saving and environmental problems including recycling of solid waste.
F&D Innovative Composites Inc. seeks a cooperation with national or international financing and/or industrial partner(s) or government bodies to promote and expand production of the developed fire resistant foams worldwide. Various forms of business agreements and cooperation will be considered: we are ready to license our technology worldwide, or to form a joint venture to build up plant(s), or to sell a part or entire company if a purchaser deems that more appropriate.
All rights for intellectual property of the developed compositions and technology of FAS foams belong to Dr. F.A.Shutov (the patent pending).
