Using intumescent coatings on wood-based materials is an effective method for fire safety. The intumescent coatings consist of four major components: (1) binder resin (BR), (2) carbonizing substance (CS), (3) foam producing substance (FPS) and (4) dehydrating agent (DA). Previous studies have demonstrated that the formulation of the four components strongly influences the performance of coatings. This study investigated the effect of intumescent formulation of vinyl acetate-based coating on flame-retardancy of plywood. Two sorts of widely used binder resin (BR) for vinyl acetate-based coating, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAc) and vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer (VAC), were used. The fire retardancy of coatings on plywood was assessed by a cone calorimeter. Total heat release and time to peak heat release rate are the two primary parameters. The data showed that lower BR and FPS content decreased total heat release and lengthen time to peak heat release rate. This mechanism to achieve better fire performance was verified by using oxygen bomb calorimeter and thermogravimetrical analysis, exhibiting lower heat of combustion and weight loss. The lower BR and FPS content can extend the survival duration of phosphor-carbonaceous chars. The results provide information for designing vinyl acetate-based coating.

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