Distribution of fire retardant chemicals in kempas (Koompassia malaccensis)

IRG/WP 94-40037

A R A Malek, R J Murphy

Samples of Kempas (Koompassia malaccensis) heartwood were treated by vacuumpressure impregnation with solutions of monammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, ammonium sulphate or a borax-boric acid mixture. A commercial saltbased fire retardant formulation was also used. After slow air drying, the treated wood samples were sub-divided and zonal analysis carried out in order to determine the gradients of chemical retention form surface to core. Steep gradients of fire retardant chemicals were found irrespective of formulation. In a pyrolysis study, the amount of residue after pyrolysis at 550°C was proportional to the retention gradients of the fire retardant chemicals being greatest in the surface zones and least in the core of the samples.


Keywords: KOOMPASSIA MALACCENSIS; FIRE RETARDANTS; RETENTION GRADIENTS; PYROLYSIS

Conference: 94-05-29...06-03, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia


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