Silicates as inorganic flame retardant

BTC offers silicate solutions of alkali metals which are added to certain formulations to increase the heat resistance. Thus, sodium and potassium silicates are well known inorganic flame retardants used in diverse applications which require fire-resistance like

• fire-resistant doors,
• fire-resistant glass.

Silicates are also known as water glass or liquid glass. Silicate solutions of alkali metals are known mainly as sodium silicate or potassium silicate. Mainly alkali silicates provide alkalinity beside other properties like adhesion (binding) or stabilisation. The silicate composition and the used alkali metal (sodium, potassium or others) determine the final property of the silicate.

Applications of our silicates as inorganic flame retardant

Soluble silicates solutions are inorganic products which are incombustible and do not decompose at higher temperature. This key-property is used in versatile applications to enhance the heat resistance. For example, fire protection-glass or doors having a silica layer can resist a longer time in an area of high temperature. The time of resistance is crucial for achieving a certain fire-resistance class.

Welding electrodes (welding-rods) often contain a soluble silicate solution as binding and coating additive. Using potassium silicates or Grossil® products as ingredient for a welding rod produce a transparent violet flame colour during the welding operation. This colour is more convenient for the welder, than the intense yellow caused by sodium silicates.

Soluble silicates are used for the manufacturing of fire-proofed sealing binder or mortar. Polymer materials with improved flame-retardant properties are obtained using silicates. Such hybrids, organic-inorganic material, show excellent flame-retardant properties. For example, polyisocyanate - sodium silicate solutions in various mixed ratios.