Study of influence of fire retardant coatings on expanded polystyrene properties

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is one of the best heat insulators, leaving all other building materials far behind with regards to the price/quality ratio. The combination of strength and heat insulation properties, ease of processing and low cost makes it possible to use this material as thermal insulation of individual elements of building structures and industrial equipment. Expanded polystyrene, in spite of all its advantages, is a combustible material. One of the effective ways to reduce combustibility is to use flame retardant coatings based on fire-resistant noncombustible fillers. In the earlier experiments, the most effective flame retardants were experimentally studied and recommended. They can reduce fire hazard of EPS - eliminate material melting, reduce combustion degree and self-burning time. Evaluation studies of the effect of fire retardant composition on the adhesion, thermal and physical properties of expanded polystyrene is presented in the paper.