Last edited 05 Apr 2023

Intumescent ablators

Ablative materials in design and construction, are materials that are generally resistant to high temperatures in one of three ways and used for thermal protection. Intumescent ablators, swell as a result of heat exposure.

The swelling of intumescent ablators, as a result of heat exposure, leads to an increase in the volume and decrease in density of the material. Intumescent materials are often a core component of passive fire protection, because they can seal penetrations, gaps and edges in walls, floors and ceilings that might otherwise fire resistant.

Intumescent seals, often called intumescence strips can be made from a variety of synthetic polymers and resin binders such as silicone or epoxy.

Two other types of related ablative materials are charring ablators and subliming ablators.

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