Synergistic Enhancement of Fire Retardancy and Mechanical Performance in Silicone Foams Using Halogen-Free Fillers

This study explores the flame retardancy and structural behavior of silicone foam composites filled with halogen-free flame retardants, aiming to evaluate their feasibility for use in mass transportation applications. Silicone foam specimens incorporating magnesium hydroxide and expandable graphite...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Seong-Jun Park, Tae-Soon Kwon, Hee-Joong Sim, Yeon-Gyo Seo, Kyungwho Choi, Hong-Lae Jang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Fire
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/243
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Summary:This study explores the flame retardancy and structural behavior of silicone foam composites filled with halogen-free flame retardants, aiming to evaluate their feasibility for use in mass transportation applications. Silicone foam specimens incorporating magnesium hydroxide and expandable graphite were prepared and compared with unfilled silicone foam under both static and dynamic loading conditions. Uniaxial compression and simple shear tests were conducted to assess mechanical behavior, and a second-order Ogden model was employed to represent hyperelasticity in the finite element analysis. Fire performance was evaluated using cone calorimeter tests in accordance with ISO 5660-1. The results showed a 53.6% reduction in peak heat release rate (PHRR) and a 48.1% decrease in MARHE upon the addition of flame retardants, satisfying relevant fire safety standards. Although the addition of fillers increased the compressive stiffness and reduced rebound resilience, static comfort indices remained within acceptable ranges. These findings confirm that halogen-free filled silicone foams exhibit significantly enhanced fire retardancy while maintaining sufficient mechanical integrity and seating comfort, demonstrating their potential as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional polyurethane foams in large-scale transportation applications.
ISSN:2571-6255