GB2165270A

GB2165270A - Combustion inhibiting composition

Info

Publication number: GB2165270A
Application number: GB08514764A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raul Alvarez Magena
Original assignee: CONTRERAS JESUS MURILLO
Current assignee: CONTRERAS JESUS MURILLO
Priority date: 1984-09-06
Filing date: 1985-06-11
Publication date: 1986-04-09
Also published as: AU4447885A; FR2569714B3; FR2569714A1; DE3520780A1; GB8514764D0

Abstract

A combustion-inhibiting composition useful for application to materials which are absorbent or porous such as cloth, wood and paper comprises an aqueous solution of monobasic sodium phosphate, ammonium sulphate and borax and/or boric acid. Especially useful compositions are aqueous solutions of the components in a weight ratio of about 150 to 250: 120 to 180: 40 to 60, more especially about 200: 150:50.

Description

SPECIFICATION Combustion inhibiting composition This invention is concerned with combustion inhibiting compositions. The compositions of the invention are suitable for treatment of porous materials such as textiles, wood and paper.

While we are not to be bound by theretical considerations of the method of operation of the compositions of the invention we believe that they form crystals in the inter-molecular spaces of the materials treated when the latter are exposed to fire as a result of the salts and minerals of which the products consist, which on crystallizing resist heat. Furthermore we believe that a polymerization process results in the formation of a film when the product, after its application to the various materials exposed to fire, comes in contact with heat, thus isolating the material treated from atmospheric air and thus from the oxygen which would be required for the completion of the combustion process.

The compositions of the invention comprise an aqueous solution of (1) monobasic sodium phosphafe (2) ammonium sulphate and (3) borax and/or boric acid. They may be applied to the substrate in aqueous solution, preferably in filtered water.

A typical preferred composition of the invention comprises.

COMPOUND: CONSTITUENT: QUANTITY: (1) Monbasic phosphate of sodium 200 grs.

(2) Ammonium sulphate 150 grs.

(3) Borax or boric acid 50 grs.

(4) Filtered water 1 litre Such a preferred composition of the invention may be made by mixing constituent 1 into 2 litre of filtered water until it is completely dissolved, the same then being done with constituents 2 and 3, until the 3 constituents are completely incorporated into the same mixture.

The mixture is left to stand at ambient temperature, humidity and pressure for 18 hours after which time the remaining 2 litre of filtered water is added.

This yields a liquid with a density of 20 volumes, similar in appearance to water and soluble therein, sufficient for coating approximately 16 m2 per litre.

Such a composition of the invention can also be given bactericidal properties, for example by adding 20 grs of bactericide such as "Folidol" (a commercial bactericide availabe from Fertinex Company of Mexico) in powder form for each litre of the liquid composition made up as above.

The compositions of the invention also comprise products containing the ingredients 1,2 and 3 in such aqueous binding coating, impregnating or cleaning formulations as paints, shampoos (such as carpet shampoos) and other formulations commonly applied to porous subsorates to add combustion inhibiting properties to such formulations. For example, to make up a typical carpet shampoo, 30 grs. of soft soap in strips are emulsified in a tepid solution of 25 grs. of sodium carbonate in one litre of water, into which, after it has cooled, a mixture of 20 grs. of alcohol and the basic constituents of the "product" are incorporated in the same order as above, other ingredients then being added in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements.

To ensure solubility of the solid components in water the density of aqueous solutions of the invention will be varied within a range of 5"-24" Baume, according to the particular material to be treated.

Liquid compositions of the invention can be applied to the various materials by any convenient method such as spraying with a gun, spreading with rollers or a brush, or by immersion, the method or methods to be adopted usually depending on the characteristics of the materials to be treated.

It should be noted that the article treated with the "product" must be thoroughly dry if the product is to take effect, since otherwise the combustion-inhibiting property will be absent.

The minimum drying time required will thus depend first and foremost on the physical characteristics of the particular substrate, the first inhibiting action of the composition on the substrate treated being better the longer this drying time is.

The compositions may be either applied to surfaces of absorbent or porous materials or may be used in the manufacture of certain such materials.

Materials to which the compositions of the invention can be applied include those given hereunder, but it should be noted that this application is not limited to these materials and that the products can be used on the great majority of those having the characteristics above indicated: - - All synthetic fibres.

- - "Shaved" and "unshaved" foam rubber.

- - Carpets.

- - Polyurethane, such as that sold under the trade name "UNISEL" - - Wood agglomerates.

- - Hardboard and three-ply.

- - Fabrics in general.

- - Wood in general.

- - Paper in general.

- - Cork.

- - Cardboard and pasteboard, etc.

The compositions act as above indicated provided the material treated is sufficiently dry that the intercrystals are formed. A film is then created by the melting which takes place when the product comes in contact with heat under normal conditions of pressure, temperature, atmospheric air and humidity in which the materials treated are liable to suffer damage from fire.

Under ambient conditions where pressure, temperature, atmospheric air and humidity are concerned the properties of the compositions applied do not deteriorate, change or dissipate, safety being maintained under most ambient conditions.

It should be noted that as the compositions are soluble in water the properties will be removed from materials such as fabrics when they are washed.

In general the apparent physical characteristics of the treated substrates are unaltered as to colour and consistency; depending on whether the product is applied in a suitable manner, especially as regards the application rate and the specific density of the material treated.

We have also found the following incidental advantages to accrue from certain compositions of the invention: - - an increase in the durability and strength of certain materials such as paper; --fixing of ink applied to the materials treated; --flame inhibition in the treated substrates on exposure to fire; - - the cases emitted by the treates substrates on contact with fire are not generally regarded as toxic, the toxicity of the gases of certain materials such as foam rubber undergoing combustion may even be reduced; - - moderate cost of production, resulting in an attractively low selling price; - - readily available raw materials.

The compositions of this invention may generally be regarded as combustion inhibitors as contrasted with the fire retarding agents which are the general prior art products devised to address the problem with which this invention is concerned.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, for the purposes of illustration only, in the following example.

A piece of crepe paper measuring 20X20 cms, was cut out, and sprayed from a flask containing 30 cc of the above described typical preferred composition of the invention with a density of 7" Baume, about 5 cc of the composition being applied evenly to the surface of the paper, after which it was allowed to dry thoroughly for approximately 6-8 hours under ambient conditions.

The material treated was then exposed to a direct flame, and it was observed that the material does not ignite and that the fire did not spread to the rest of the material.

Claims

1. A combustion-inhibiting composition comprising an aqueous solution of (1) MONOBASIC SODIUM PHOSPHATE, (2) AMMONIUM SULPHATE and (3) BORAX AND/OR BORIC ACID

2. A composition as claimed in Claim 1 in which the weight ratio of the components is (1) 150 to 250: (2) 120 to 180: (3) 40 to 60.

3. A composition as claimed in Claim 1, in which the weight ratio of the components is about (1) 200: (2) 150: (3) 50.

4. A composition as claimed in any preceding Claim, in solution in filtered water.

5. A composition as claimed in Claims 3 and 4, wherein the amount of water is about 1000 parts by weight.

6. A composition as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, having a density in the range 5 to 24 Baume, preferably about 20 Baume.

7. A binding, coating, impregnating or cleaning composition containing a composition as claimed in any preceeding claim.

8. A process of imparting combustion inhibiting properties to a porous material which comprises applying to said material a composition as claimed in any preceding claim.