Development of High Temperature Barrier Coating

"METSS plans to develop an intumescent coating that can be applied and bonded to a steel structure that provides sufficient protection to keep the temperature of the steel below 325¿F for at least 30 minutes. Two similar approaches will be examined formaximum cost and performance effectiveness. The first approach consists of a complex coating based on a polymeric binder. This coating will adhere strongly to steel, intumesce to form a strong, flake-resistant char foam that evolves heat absorbing watervapor and contains an infrared reflecting additive. This composition will contain hollow microspheres to reduce the density of the coating. Exfoliated nanoclays will be incorporated into the matrix polymer to strengthen the char foam. The second approachis a similarly complex ceramic-based coating. Ceramics do not burn, and therefore offer excellent fire resistance. Intumescent ceramic based coatings also release water, form an insulating foam, contain density reducing hollow microspheres, and IRreflecting additives. The most significant potential difference and the focus of the research relates to adhesion to the steel and the stability of the intumescent foam. The addition of IR reflecting additives represents a unique and significant additionto intumescent formulations. METSS proposal also addresses the critical issues of modifying both coatings systems to maximize adhesion to the steel, and the stability of the foam in order to m