Fire-retardant materials

Conventional materials (natural and man-made fibres, plastics, wood, paper etc.) used in everyday life are, in different degrees, liable to ignition. This fact has impelled the development of new materials which are inherently resistant to flame and heat or to modify these materials by using flame-retardant additives/treatments to meet the stringent regulations set for fire protection. This paper gives an overview of the newly developed inherently flame-retardant fibres and engineering plastics specifically aramids, polyimides, polybenzimidazole, novoloid, polyphenylene sulphide and carbon fibres. The use of various additives and FR finishes has also been highlighted.