A wide variety of fire-retardant coatings are available.

　　
Fire-retardant coatings are a commonly seen type, known for their excellent fire-resistant properties. They are widely used in the construction industry. There are various types of fire-retardant coatings, so let's take a look at their classifications.
Fire-retardant coatings can be divided into two main categories based on their fire-retardant principles: expandable and non-expandable. Non-expandable fire-retardant coatings provide fire protection through the following mechanisms: the first is the inherent flame-retardant or non-flammable nature of the coating itself.Secondly, under the influence of flame or high temperature, the material can release extinguishing gas and form an incombustible inorganic layer to isolate air. Non-expanding fire-retardant coatings, according to the characteristics of the film-forming substance, can be divided into inorganic and organic types. After the film-forming fire-retardant coatings are applied, they are ordinary paint films at room temperature. Under the action of flame or high temperature, the coating expands and carbonizes, forming a non-flammable, spongy carbon layer several to even hundreds of times thicker than the original thickness. This layer can intercept external heat sources from heating the base material, thereby acting as a flame retardant.
Solvent-based fire retardant coatings and water-soluble fire retardant coatings are the two main categories, with both types utilizing essentially the same fire-retardant components. The choice of solvent depends on the film-forming substance used. The film-forming substances for solvent-based fire retardant coatings typically include chlorinated polyolefins, resins, amino resins, epoxy resins, and phenolic resins, with solvents such as butyl acetate being used. For water-soluble fire retardant coatings, the film-forming substances generally include chlorinated polyethylene, propylene, and polyacrylate, all of which are dissolved in water. In terms of fire resistance, physical and chemical properties, and weather resistance, solvent-based fire retardant coatings generally outperform water-soluble ones. However, due to factors like cost and environmental concerns, water-soluble fire retardant coatings have also seen rapid development.
Structural steel fire-resistant coatings can be categorized into thick, thin, and ultra-thin types based on the coating thickness. Ultra-thin coatings are widely used, accounting for a significant portion of the total fire-resistant coatings for steel structures.70% is accounted for by thick钢结构fire-resistant coatings, followed by approximately 20%, with thin钢结构fire-resistant coatings currently seeing less demand.
The fire-resistant coatings for steel structures can be simply categorized into two major types: indoor and outdoor applications.
Fire retardant coatings can be categorized based on their functions and the specific protective base materials they are applied to:
1. Surface Fire Retardant Coating. Applied to the surface of combustible substrates (such as wood, plastic, cardboard, fiberboard, etc.), this fire-resistant coating forms a protective film with fire-retardant and decorative properties.
2. Fire-resistant coating for steel structures. Applied to the surfaces of buildings and steel structures, it forms a fire-resistant and insulating protective layer to enhance the fire resistance of steel structures. The application range of fire-resistant coatings for steel structures includes fire protection for metal structures and other components in high-rise buildings, large venues, oil, electricity, telecommunications, chemicals, machinery, broadcasting and television, etc. The usage of fire-resistant coatings for steel structures accounts for over 90% of the total amount of fire-resistant coatings.
3. Cable Fire Retardant Coating. Applied to the surface of electrical cables, it forms a fire retardant coating that prevents the cables from continuing to burn. The composition, physical and chemical properties, and other characteristics of this fire retardant coating are similar to those of residential fire retardant coatings, but the fire resistance and testing methods differ.
4. Tunnel Fire Retardant Coating. Applied to the surfaces of the tunnel's arches, sidewalls, and prestressed concrete floor slabs, it forms an insulating layer. This coating prevents the rapid temperature rise and strength reduction of reinforced concrete during fires, serving as a fire-retardant, insulating, and collapse-preventing measure.