Relative improvements in flame resistance of coir fiberboards treated with fire-retardant solution

Abstract

In this study, medium-density coir fiberboard samples treated with fire-retardant (FR) solutions were found to be effective in resisting fires. This study sought the most favorable combination of FR boron solution for imparting flame resistance to coir fiberboards. The samples were chemically treated with FR solutions of various combinations of borax and boric acid. The treated samples showed substantial improvements in their resistance to flammability and flame penetration time, a reduced rate of burning, and a higher resistance to spread of flame. A regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the weight percentage of FR boron present in the solution and the flame resistance characteristics of treated coir fiberboards, in which the predictions were found to be accurate, within ± 3%. The study concluded that any difference in the weight percentage of FR boron in the solution affected the flame resistance, and a solution that contained 35% boron imparted maximum fire resistance to coir fiberboard samples.