Scientists have developed an eco-friendly process for increasing the fire resistance of timber that also dramatically increases its strength. While methods for fire-proofing timber materials already exist, most of them involve treatments that employ substances that are noxious or hazardous to human health.
Researchers from Stony Brook University have developed a new type of timber flame retardant that is not only sustainable and environmentally friendly, but also radically raises the strength of treated materials.
The flame retardant consists of a phosphorus-based compound called resorcinol bis (RDP). This compound has already been declared by the EPA to be a preferred substitute for halogenated flame retardants. RDP penetrates the natural structure of timber materials and interacts with its cellulose, producing a wood-plastic composite that surpasses UL94 V-0 flammability standards.
The absence of toxic byproducts in combination this strengthening effect could make the process ideal for flame-proofing timber materials employed in the construction of habitable buildings.
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