FTIR Analysis of Some Flame Retardant and Intumescent Materials for the Irrigation Systems

The present work aimed to evaluate non-toxic raw materials that will be part of new hybrid and ecological polymer composite materials, used for fireproof and intumescent treatment of systems and equipment associated with watering of cultivated or uncultivated land surfaces, respectively for land irrigation or for extinguishing vegetation fires, as a feasible, sustainable, efficient and economical alternative to synthesized fireproof and intumescent materials. The possible ecological components of the objective hybrid polymer composite material, which were analyzed, are: Alumina, Liquid starch, Powdered starch, Borax, Zinc borate. The results of the analyses were interpreted by correlation, reporting and comparison with the results obtained from established materials in the field of passive fire protection, which have recognized fire resistance performance, such as: Coroparaffin, Naftoblend ACFR-01, NANO PROTECT - NANO-PROTECT ® for plastics, Nanomagicplastcare, Nanoprotect pre-cleaning and Antimony trioxide. Liquid PVC was analyzed, with the intention of introducing it as an additive during the preparation of hybrid materials, both to improve the physical and mechanical properties and to facilitate subsequent application even in difficult weather conditions, on site, in the field. The research strategy was to choose the component materials so that the resulting hybrid polymer film would not burn, prevent the spread of fire and smoke, maintain its structural integrity and align with the principles of the circular economy. The substances, possibly components of the objective polymer film, were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), in the “pre-burn” phase, respectively before combustion.