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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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
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/243
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author Seong-Jun Park
Tae-Soon Kwon
Hee-Joong Sim
Yeon-Gyo Seo
Kyungwho Choi
Hong-Lae Jang
author_facet Seong-Jun Park
Tae-Soon Kwon
Hee-Joong Sim
Yeon-Gyo Seo
Kyungwho Choi
Hong-Lae Jang
author_sort Seong-Jun Park
collection DOAJ
description 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.
format Article
id doaj-art-9cf982fea49e4d919022403b3372fd9b
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issn 2571-6255
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Fire
spelling doaj-art-9cf982fea49e4d919022403b3372fd9b2025-08-20T03:07:58ZengMDPI AGFire2571-62552025-06-018724310.3390/fire8070243Synergistic Enhancement of Fire Retardancy and Mechanical Performance in Silicone Foams Using Halogen-Free FillersSeong-Jun Park0Tae-Soon Kwon1Hee-Joong Sim2Yeon-Gyo Seo3Kyungwho Choi4Hong-Lae Jang5School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University, Goyang 10540, Republic of KoreaRailroad Safety and Environmental Research Division, Korea Railroad Research Institute, Uiwang 16105, Republic of KoreaSchool of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University, Goyang 10540, Republic of KoreaSchool of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University, Goyang 10540, Republic of KoreaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Railroad Operation Systems Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Uiwang 16106, Republic of KoreaThis 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/243silicone foamhalogen-free fillersflame retardancymechanical comfort
spellingShingle Seong-Jun Park
Tae-Soon Kwon
Hee-Joong Sim
Yeon-Gyo Seo
Kyungwho Choi
Hong-Lae Jang
Synergistic Enhancement of Fire Retardancy and Mechanical Performance in Silicone Foams Using Halogen-Free Fillers
Fire
silicone foam
halogen-free fillers
flame retardancy
mechanical comfort
title Synergistic Enhancement of Fire Retardancy and Mechanical Performance in Silicone Foams Using Halogen-Free Fillers
title_full Synergistic Enhancement of Fire Retardancy and Mechanical Performance in Silicone Foams Using Halogen-Free Fillers
title_fullStr Synergistic Enhancement of Fire Retardancy and Mechanical Performance in Silicone Foams Using Halogen-Free Fillers
title_full_unstemmed Synergistic Enhancement of Fire Retardancy and Mechanical Performance in Silicone Foams Using Halogen-Free Fillers
title_short Synergistic Enhancement of Fire Retardancy and Mechanical Performance in Silicone Foams Using Halogen-Free Fillers
title_sort synergistic enhancement of fire retardancy and mechanical performance in silicone foams using halogen free fillers
topic silicone foam
halogen-free fillers
flame retardancy
mechanical comfort
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/243
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AT heejoongsim synergisticenhancementoffireretardancyandmechanicalperformanceinsiliconefoamsusinghalogenfreefillers
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