Exploration of the Fireproof Performance of Glue-based Automatic Fire Suppression Materials under Extreme Fire Conditions

 

In modern buildings and industrial environments, the threat of fire always exists. As a widely used adhesive material, glue plays a crucial role in fires. Under extreme fire conditions such as high temperature and high wind speed, whether glue-based automatic fire suppression materials can continuously and stably perform their fireproof functions and effectively prevent the spread of fire through the glue has become the focus of attention in the field of fire safety. This is not only related to the integrity of the building structure but also closely connected to the safety of people’s lives and property losses.

Overview of Glue-based Automatic Fire Suppression Materials

Glue-based automatic fire suppression materials are a special type of glue. In addition to having conventional adhesive properties, they also incorporate functional components for fire prevention and flame retardancy. Their composition usually includes a base material, flame retardants, curing agents, etc. The base material provides the basic adhesive properties, ensuring that the material can firmly bond objects under normal conditions. Flame retardants are the key fireproof elements. Common flame retardants include halogen-based, phosphorus-based, nitrogen-based, etc., which function through different flame retardant mechanisms, such as endothermic decomposition to reduce temperature, forming an isolation layer to cut off oxygen, and capturing free radicals to inhibit combustion reactions. The curing agent promotes the curing of the glue, ensuring the stability of the material’s properties.

Under normal environmental conditions, these materials are no different from ordinary glue and can meet various adhesive needs. However, once encountering a fire, the fireproof components inside will be activated and quickly exert their fireproof effects. For example, when the temperature rises to a certain level, the flame retardant will undergo physical and chemical changes such as decomposition and melting, forming a dense protective film to prevent heat transfer and oxygen entry, thus delaying the spread of the fire and buying precious time for personnel evacuation and fire rescue.

Influence of High Temperature Conditions on the Fireproof Performance of Glue-based Automatic Fire Suppression Materials

Physical Changes of Materials at High Temperatures

As the temperature rises sharply, glue-based automatic fire suppression materials will first undergo physical changes such as softening and melting. This is because the molecular chain movement of the base material intensifies at high temperatures, causing the viscosity of the material to decrease and lose its original solid state. For example, some glues with organic polymers as the base material may gradually soften or even flow at high temperatures. Such physical changes will have a significant impact on the fireproof performance of the material. On the one hand, the adhesive strength of the material decreases, and the objects that were originally bonded may separate, creating gaps in the fireproof barrier and allowing the fire to spread. On the other hand, the change in the material’s shape may lead to uneven distribution of the flame retardant components inside, reducing the overall fireproof effect.

Chemical Changes of Materials at High Temperatures

High temperatures can also trigger chemical changes in glue-based automatic fire suppression materials. The flame retardant will undergo a decomposition reaction at high temperatures, releasing non-combustible gases such as carbon dioxide and ammonia. These gases can dilute the oxygen concentration in the surrounding air and inhibit the combustion reaction. At the same time, after the flame retardant decomposes, a charred layer will form on the surface of the material. This charred layer has good heat insulation performance and can prevent heat from further transferring to the inside of the material. However, if the temperature is too high or the duration is too long, the charred layer may be damaged and lose its heat insulation and flame retardant functions. In addition, some chemical changes may also cause the material to produce harmful gases, posing a threat to personnel safety.

Comprehensive Influence of High Temperature on the Fireproof Performance of Materials

In actual fire scenarios, the comprehensive influence of high temperature on the fireproof performance of glue-based automatic fire suppression materials is very complex. Through experimental research, it has been found that when the temperature reaches a certain threshold, the fireproof performance of the material will drop sharply. For example, in a certain high-temperature fire experiment, when the ambient temperature reached 800°C, the adhesive strength of some glue-based automatic fire suppression materials decreased by more than 50%, and the fireproof isolation effect was also greatly weakened, and the fire spread rapidly within a short time. This indicates that under high-temperature conditions, the fireproof performance of the material faces severe challenges, and it is necessary to improve its high-temperature resistance by optimizing the material formula and structure.

Influence of High Wind Speed Conditions on the Fireproof Performance of Glue-based Automatic Fire Suppression Materials

The Action Mechanism of High Wind Speed on the Fire and Materials

High wind speed acts as an “accelerant” in a fire. It can quickly replenish the oxygen required for combustion and accelerate the spread speed of the flame. At the same time, high wind speed will also have a direct physical effect on glue-based automatic fire suppression materials. Strong winds will erode the surface of the material, subjecting it to mechanical stress, which may lead to the detachment and damage of the material. For example, in outdoor building fires, when the wind speed exceeds 10m/s, glue-based automatic fire suppression materials may be loosened by the strong wind and unable to adhere closely to the surface of the object, thus reducing the fireproof effect.

Influence of the Interaction between High Wind Speed and Materials on Fireproof Performance

The interaction between high wind speed and glue-based automatic fire suppression materials will have various impacts on the fireproof performance. On the one hand, strong winds may blow away the fireproof isolation layer generated by the material in the fire, such as the charred layer or foam layer, allowing the fire to directly contact the protected object and accelerating the combustion process. On the other hand, high wind speed will accelerate the loss of moisture or volatile components inside the material, affecting the fireproof chemical reaction of the material. For example, for some glue-based automatic fire suppression materials containing moisture, the moisture evaporates rapidly under high wind speed and cannot reduce the temperature through the endothermic vaporization of water, thus weakening the fireproof ability of the material.

Relevant Experiments and Case Analyses

In order to deeply understand the fireproof performance of glue-based automatic fire suppression materials under high wind speed conditions, researchers have conducted a large number of experiments and case analyses. In a simulated high wind speed fire experiment, with the wind speed set at 15m/s, the results showed that the fireproof performance of the glue-based automatic fire suppression materials decreased significantly, and the spread speed of the fire was more than 30% faster than in the case of no wind. In actual fire cases, such as a high-rise building fire, due to the relatively high wind speed around the building, the glue-based automatic fire suppression materials failed to effectively prevent the spread of the fire through the gaps in the exterior wall, resulting in the rapid expansion of the fire and causing serious losses. These experiments and cases fully illustrate the negative impact of high wind speed on the fireproof performance of glue-based automatic fire suppression materials.

Simulated Experiments of Actual Fire Scenarios

Experimental Design and Methods

In order to comprehensively evaluate the fireproof performance of glue-based automatic fire suppression materials in actual fire scenarios, a simulated experiment was designed. A simulated building space was set up in the experiment, with various fire sources and ventilation devices inside to simulate different fire scenarios. In the experiment, different types of glue-based automatic fire suppression materials were selected and applied to the key parts of the building, such as the walls and door and window gaps. At the same time, extreme conditions such as high temperature and high wind speed were set, and the environmental parameters were adjusted by controlling the intensity of the fire source and the ventilation volume. During the experiment, a variety of monitoring devices, such as temperature sensors, anemometers, and flame detectors, were used to record the development of the fire and the performance changes of the materials in real time.

Experimental Results and Data Analysis

The experimental results show that under the extreme conditions of high temperature and high wind speed, different types of glue-based automatic fire suppression materials exhibited different fireproof performances. Some materials could maintain good adhesion and fireproof effect for a certain period of time and effectively prevent the spread of the fire; while other materials failed rapidly under the action of high temperature and strong wind, and the fire quickly broke through the fireproof barrier. Through the analysis of the experimental data, it was found that the fireproof performance of the material is related to many factors, such as the composition of the material, thickness, and application method. For example, glue-based automatic fire suppression materials with high-performance flame retardants and a relatively large thickness had a better fireproof effect in the experiment and could withstand higher temperatures and wind speeds.

Enlightenment of Experimental Results for Practical Applications

The experimental results provide important enlightenment for the practical application of glue-based automatic fire suppression materials. When selecting and using such materials, various factors in the actual fire scenario, especially the influence of high temperature and high wind speed, need to be fully considered. For buildings in high-temperature environments, glue-based automatic fire suppression materials with good high-temperature resistance should be selected, and the thickness of the material should be appropriately increased. In high wind speed areas, it is necessary to ensure the firm installation of the material to prevent it from being blown off by strong winds. At the same time, according to different application scenarios, it is also necessary to optimize the formula and application process of the material to improve its fireproof performance and stability.

Strategies for Improving the Fireproof Performance of Glue-based Automatic Fire Suppression Materials under Extreme Conditions

Optimizing the Material Formula

By improving the material formula, the fireproof performance of glue-based automatic fire suppression materials under extreme conditions can be enhanced. For example, increasing the content of the flame retardant or selecting a more efficient flame retardant can enhance the flame retardant effect of the material. At the same time, adjusting the composition and structure of the base material can improve the high-temperature resistance and adhesive strength of the material. Research has found that adding nanomaterials to the glue formula can significantly improve the comprehensive performance of the material. Nanoparticles have a high specific surface area and special physical and chemical properties, which can enhance the mechanical properties, heat insulation performance, and flame retardant performance of the material.

Improving the Material Structure Design

The structure design of the material also has an important impact on its fireproof performance. Adopting a multi-layer composite structure or a porous structure can improve the fireproof performance of the material. The multi-layer composite structure can achieve better heat insulation, flame retardancy, and adhesion effects through the synergistic effect between different layers. For example, setting a high-temperature-resistant protective layer on the surface of the material and a functional layer containing a flame retardant inside can effectively improve the fireproof performance of the material at high temperatures. The porous structure can increase the specific surface area of the material, improve its ability to adsorb and store flame retardants, and is also conducive to the dispersion and transfer of heat, reducing the temperature on the surface of the material.

Strengthening the Bond between the Material and the Substrate

Ensuring a firm bond between the glue-based automatic fire suppression material and the substrate is crucial for improving its fireproof performance. In practical applications, the appropriate glue should be selected according to the properties of the substrate, and the correct construction process should be adopted. For example, for metal substrates, glues with good metal adhesion can be used, and the metal surface should be pretreated, such as grinding and degreasing, to improve the adhesive strength between the glue and the metal. At the same time, during the construction process, it is necessary to ensure that the glue is evenly applied to avoid the occurrence of bubbles and gaps, preventing the fire from spreading through these defects.

Conclusion

Glue-based automatic fire suppression materials can play a certain fireproof role under normal conditions, but their fireproof performance faces many challenges under extreme fire conditions such as high temperature and high wind speed. High temperature will cause physical and chemical changes in the material, weakening its adhesive strength and fireproof effect; high wind speed will have a negative impact on the fireproof performance of the material through physical effects and accelerating the spread of the fire. Through simulated experiments of actual fire scenarios, we have deeply understood the performance of the material under extreme conditions, providing a basis for improving its fireproof performance. In the future, through strategies such as optimizing the material formula, improving the structure design, and strengthening the bond with the substrate, it is expected to further improve the fireproof performance of glue-based automatic fire suppression materials under extreme conditions and provide more reliable protection for fire safety. In practical applications, it is also necessary to continuously strengthen the research and monitoring of such materials to ensure that they can effectively play their role when a fire occurs and protect lives and property.

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