Flame retardants

MelaminebyDSM™ in powder form can be used to enhance the flame-retardant properties of polyurethane foam products and coatings.

Melamine inhibits flame spread and reduces smoke emission. It is used in flame retardants in two forms: foam products and coatings.

Typical applications of foam products include:

• Domestic appliances
• Television sets
• Soft furnishings
• Hospital and hotel bed mattresses
• Seats in public places (e.g. theaters and public transport)
• Furniture

Typical applications of flame-retardant coating include:

• Fire doors
• Ventilation ducts and shutters

When exposed to heat and flames, melamine decomposes, absorbing heat and causing a cooling effect. And since it also gives off nitrogen during decomposition, this helps to starve the fire of oxygen. This inhibits the spread of flames and the generation of toxic smoke.

Coatings
When melamine-based flame-retardant (intumescent) coatings are exposed to fire, they degrade to form a char or insulated surface as the melamine decomposes. The result is that the substrate material beneath the char surface is protected from the heat for a certain amount of time.

Environmental benefits
Melamine-based flame-retardants are more environmentally benign than conventional halogen-based flame-retardants.