Fire Protection - Advanced Materials

Properties

Lightweight and Integral Fire Protection

For composites and gap filling applications

Our range of intumescent materials has been used extensively in applications such as infrastructure, construction, mass transport and aerospace, enabling composite structures to pass key fire safety standards. It is designed to be incorporated directly at the surface of composite structures to provide protection from fire protecting the underlying structure whilst reducing smoke and heat release. They work by expanding uni-directionally (in the z direction) when exposed to heat (in excess of 190°C), producing a thick insulative and stabilised char which reduces the degradation of the underlying composite materials by insulating them from heat energy.

Fibre Type

Graphite based, with mineral, AES and glass fibres

Activation Temperature

>190°C or >374°F

Typical Expansion Ratio

4:1 up to 35:1 (at 450°C / 840°F)

Thickness Range

0.5 - 5mm

Converting options

Self adhesive backing, Custom cut shapes, surface sealing or lamination

Use

Tecnofire in Composites

Tecnofire® is readily infusible with resin, compatible with traditional fabrication methods, and incorporated as part of the composite lay-up, reducing the need for additional process steps. It is added near the surface of the composite, close to the fire risk, to maximise fire resistance whilst maintaining the strength and weight targets of the resin matrix. To increase fire performance further, it can also be combined with FR resins and used as part of FR laminate composites assemblies.

Watch Tecnofire in Action

Tecnofire® provides integral and effective fire protection for composites, resisting burn through, flame spread, and heat insulation without compromising structure or requiring time-consuming application. The key to this effectiveness is the expansion of the materials, producing a thick insulating char, which is up to 35 times the original material thickness and insulates the underlying structure from fire.

Watch Video

Fire Testing

Tecnofire® is used extensively in applications such as infrastructure, construction, mass transport and aerospace and enables composites to pass key Reaction to Fire and Fire Resistance test standards including:

ASTM E84-11a
EN45545-2
ASTM E162 & E662
UL10C and NFPA 252 for fire doors
ASTM E119
BS476 Pt 6 & 7
UL94 – V0 rating

Performance

Reduces smoke and heat release without toxic fumes
Does not disrupt mechanical properties
Integral to composite structure

Reduced Processing

Incorporated directly into a composite using standard processing techniques
No additional process steps
No need for post coating

Compliance

Protects the underlying structure from heat and fire
Helps pass key fire safety standards

Typical Applications

Bodywork and engines

Fire protection for mufflers, batteries, engines, catalytic converters and body interior panels. Our Tecnofire® materials have been used by NABI to provide fire protection for composite buses.

Gap filling and structural panels

Gap filling applications include pipe wraps and collars, joint seals, ironmongery protection, glazing seals and door and ventilation grilles. Tecnofire is all used in surface protection applications include composite fabrications, specialist fire doors and fire resistant panels and facades.

BEV Battery Boxes

Tecnofire can be incorporated into EV battery enclosures to provide integral fire protection and facilitate the move from metal to composite enclosures.

Nacelles

Integral fire protection for nacelles, our Tecnofire® intumescent materials provide a means to both minimise fire spread and protect the nacelle from fire occurring elsewhere, for example, as a result of lightning strike to reduce restoration costs.

Yachts

Our Tecnofire® materials are used in the fabrication of high speed yachts, providing fire protection to the structure and enabling it to meet the appropriate fire test standards.

Aircraft engines

Our Tecnofire® fire protection materials deliver the required fire protection to aircraft engines without the toxicity, structural compromises or time consuming application associated with alternative technologies like additives or paints.

Markets

We offer an extensive range of technical nonwovens, already qualified in aero composites and AS9100 certified, that can improve the appearance, function and ease of fabrication of AAM composites and solve a range of technical challenges faced in eVTOL aircraft and drone design. All our materials are designed specifically for use in composites, ensuring compatibility with all common resins and manufacturing techniques as well as ease of integration & use.

James Cropper Advanced Materials customers are among the largest aerospace manufacturers in the world, including many Fortune 100 and 500 companies. Our portfolio of products are in use on most commercial aircraft, delivering surface finish solutions, improved processing, light weighting efficiency solutions, and more.

A multitude of solutions for automotive composites, ranging from Class A surface finish to friction material substrates and composite EV battery enclosures.

James Cropper has supplied materials into the Defence sector for over 25 years. Our success lies in our ability to develop materials which meet specifications that other providers can't fulfil. This means that we work closely with our customers to design a product to suit specific application requirements.

Our nonwovens deliver specific functionality to leading renewable energy companies composite wind turbines, including surface finish and fire protection inside nacelles.

James Cropper has developed a range of materials specifically designed for use in both established and emerging power generation & storage systems. Typical applications include electrode scaffolds, current collectors, adhesive carriers and battery separators.

We develop advanced materials for construction applications. Our specialist nonwovens help manufacturers improve fire performance, thermal insulation, electrical functionality and surface quality across a wide range of applications. From fire doors and passive fire protection systems to structural panels, façades and infrastructure products, our materials solve complex technical challenges while delivering reliable, long-term performance. We tailor our materials to specific application requirements and design them for easy integration into construction systems. This helps manufacturers improve performance while maintaining compliance, aesthetics and manufacturing efficiency.

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