Green approach in wood mineralization for improvement of fire properties

IRG/WP 22-30769

A Pondelak, R Repič, L Škrlep, N Knez, F Knez, A S Škapin

Various treatments have been developed in order to improve fire properties of wood. Because the use of some flame retardants can release toxic compounds in the event of a fire, leading to poisoning or even death of people from smoke inhalation, the use of no-toxic and more ecologically acceptable flame retardants is preferable. Mineralization of wood with the incorporation of carbonates has proven to be a promising method for improving fire properties. The paper presents fire properties of two wood species (spruce and beech) modified using recently proposed eco-friendly mineralization process. Method is based on vacuum pressure impregnation using water solution of calcium acetoacetate which transforms to CaCO3 deep inside the wood structure. The parameters for determining the classification of reaction to fire were investigated. The increase in time ignition, decrease in the total heat release and the fire growth rate index were observed for mineralized wood. Moreover, reduced weight loss in different pyrolysis process of mineralized wood determined by thermogravimetric analysis indicates improved fire performance of such material.


Keywords: mineralization, environmentally friendly modification methods, calcium acetoacetate, CaCO3, reaction to fire, thermogravimetric analysis, cone calorimetry

Conference: 22-05-29/06-02 Bled, Slovenia


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