Fire Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites

Key issues in the use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in the rehabilitation and retrofitting of concrete structures

“…Furthermore, research is being undertaken into additives which may be incorporated into the polymer to improve its fi re resistance. One such additive is montmorillonite clay nanocomposites (Wang and Wilkie, 2006;Hackman, 2007). It should be said, however, that currently, the cost of incorporating nano-composites into the polymer of FRP composites is too expensive for the rehabilitation of structural members.…”

“…These are: (i) fl ame retardant polymers, (ii) intumescent coatings, (iii) thermal barriers. Further information on these systems may be obtained from Sorathia and Beck (1996), Kandola and Horrocks (1998), Sorathia et al (2003) and Mouritz and Gibson (2006). Bisby et al (2005) and Chowdhury (2005) have undertaken full-scale fi re tests on FRP-strengthened columns and beams; all the beams were insulated on the outside of the FRP with either a gypsum-based or a cementitious spray-applied fi re protection.…”

“…Fire resistance is not one single property; it may be defi ned by a number of fi re reaction properties (Mouritz, 2006), including:…”