Tecnofire^® general information

Tecnofire^® is a range of high quality intumescent fire protection materials which utilises exfoliating graphite as the active ingredient. The materials are manufactured using a proprietary wet-laid process and are employed widely in both traditional gap filling passive fire protection, and in the passive fire protection of composite structures. 

The Tecnofire^® range includes both flexible and rigid products and material can be supplied in the form of sheets, rolls, narrow coils or cut shapes.  We also offer a range of secondary processing options, such as adding a self-adhesive backing to the Tecnofire^® base, and more information about these possibilities is detailed below.

We have worked with a wide variety of partners to develop passive fire protection solutions for a range of applications across markets including both the construction and transportation industries. Consequently, we have been able to demonstrate that Tecnofire^® can meet application specific testing standards and codes such as ASTM E119, E162, E662, E84, UBC 7-2, UL10C, UL1709 and Corner Room Tests.

In addition to exfoliating graphite, all Tecnofire^® materials contain a high temperature resistant mineral fibre, a small amount of organic binder and, in some cases, additional particulates, fibres or active ingredients.   For example some grades, such as 60172, also include aluminium hydroxide (ATH) to further improve the fire performance of the Tecnofire^® mat.  Heat (>190°C) promotes expansion of Tecnofire^® which results in a char by-product that is highly stabilised by a matrix of mineral fibre.  This stabilised char therefore acts as an insulating layer and offers enhanced fire protection to the underlying materials.  Moreover, Tecnofire^® exhibits a very high degree of unidirectional expansion and this means that very little expansion is ‘wasted’ in other directions.

The table below shows a selection of the most popular Tecnofire^® intumescent products.  We usually hold stock of each product and would welcome the opportunity to supply small samples (free of charge) for testing purposes.

 
Tecnofire^® 2000 and Tecnofire^® 2006

Tecnofire^® 2000 is a rigid epoxy composite sheet incorporating Tecnofire^®. The material is of exceptional quality and combines very high expansion characteristics with durability and resistance to water and other chemicals.  Currently the sheets are available in a thickness of 0.65mm or 1.3mm.

Tecnofire^® 2006 has been developed as a semi-flexible

alternative to Tecnofire^® 2000. It can be supplied in sheets (thickness 0.65mm or 1.3mm) or, following recent technical developments, sheets can be joined to give Tecnofire^® 2006 as full width rolls or coils (minimum width 10mm).

Both Tecnofire^® 2000 and 2006 can be employed in traditional gap filling applications and in the passive fire protection of composites.

 
Architectural fire rated doors

Tecnofire^® 2000 and 2006 are used extensively in the construction of 30, 60 and 90 minute fire rated doors. These materials have been tested and certified with the Warnock Hersey Mark, issued by Intertek. Tecnofire^® has become the preferred intumescent for meeting the “Positive Pressure” fire door testing requirements of UL10C, UBC 7-2 and ISO 9705 for a number of reasons including:

• The materials perform well in fire tests.
• Tecnofire^® grades are generally thinner than silicate, pyrophosphate or rubber based systems.
• Tecnofire^® is easier to handle and less prone to breakage, resulting in reduced processing waste.
• Tecnofire^® is resistant to moisture absorbance and “weeping”, which can impact negatively on both door quality and door appearance.
• Tecnofire^® is compatible with automated door manufacturing equipment such as edge banders and veneer applicators which can eliminate manufacturing bottlenecks.
• Tecnofire^® has been approved by Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and ITS to redress gap tolerance non-conformance during door installation at construction sites.

For the North American markets, Technical Fibre Products collaborates with Lorient North America (LNA) located in Lexington Kentucky to bring Tecnofire^® 2000 and 2006 to the marketplace. Lorient is approved by ITS to custom slit and convert Tecnofire^® to meet specific product dimensions or produce “kits” tailored to meet individual door manufacturers needs.

Secondary processing and bespoke options

We have worked in partnership with many customers to develop bespoke Tecnofire^® solutions.  New materials are usually developed by combining a precisely tailored Tecnofire^® base with an appropriate secondary processing option or, alternatively, standard Tecnofire^® mats can be customised using a selection of secondary processing techniques, which include:

• Lamination – Several Tecnofire^® sheets can be laminated together or, alternatively, Tecnofire^® can be laminated to other materials (which may be supplied by our partner).  For example, we have successfully laminated Tecnofire^® to materials such as flame retardant paper or card, plastic sheets and natural wooden veneers.

• Surface sealing or coating – Tecnofire^® can be supplied with either one or two sides surface sealed or powder coated.
• Adding self adhesive backing (SAB) – The Tecnofire^® range is compatible with a number of commercially available SABs and we are able to supply both rolls and sheets complete with SAB.
• Pre-impregnation –  A selection of Tecnofire^® products can be readily converted to prepreg materials for ease of downstream processing
• Cut shapes – We have the capability to produce various cut shapes including gaskets and discs.

 
Tecnofire^® - Gap filling applications

The expansion of Tecnofire^® is highly unidirectional and, as a result, the product range offers a highly efficient passive fire protection solution for a large selection of traditional gap filling applications, which include:

• Pipe wraps and collars
• Door edge seals
• Glazing seals
• Joint seals for building panel systems
• Grilles and vents
• Ironmongery protection
• Linear gap seals

Tecnofire^® can also be used in retrofitting passive fire protection projects.

 
Protecting composite structures with Tecnofire^®

In addition to traditional gap filling fire protection uses, Tecnofire^® can also be utilised widely for the passive fire protection of composites. Tecnofire^® is incorporated as a permanent and integral part of the structure (near the surface) and, following activation by fire, it forms an insulating char which is stabilised by high temperature resistant mineral fibres. The char significantly reduces the rate of degradation of the underlying materials by both insulating the composite from heat energy and protecting the composite from combustion.

Several Tecnofire^® materials have been specifically designed for use in composite applications. These materials can be readily processed using a selection of standard composite fabrication methods and we would welcome the opportunity to help identify the most suitable Tecnofire^® material for your specific requirements. Please contact us to discuss your enquiry: we would welcome the opportunity to be able to offer our assistance.

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