Improved Pyrolysis Performance of a Cyclic Phosphate‐Melamine Intumescent Fire‐Retardant Coating System Using Ceria as an Additive

Abstract In this study, cyclic phosphate ester (PEA)‐melamine (MEL) epoxy fire‐retardant coatings were prepared using ceria (CeO2) as an additive. In addition, the effect of ceria on the fireproof performance of the fire‐retardant coatings was analyzed. PEA was prepared and characterized as a flame retardant and a hardener in the system. PEA was mixed with epoxy resin and ceria to produce the coatings, which were then characterized in terms of thermal stability, flame‐retardant performance, and smoke suppression property. Results showed that ceria can significantly improve the fire resistance of the coatings. Compared with the coating without ceria, the coating with 6 % ceria had 56 % lower peak of heat release rate and 61 % lower peak smoke production rate. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the addition of ceria improved the thermal stability of the coatings and increased the weight of the residual char to 43.5 %. The internal condition of the foam structure of the expanded residual char was studied using scanning electron microscope. The infrared spectrum of the residual char indicated that the introduction of ceria effectively promoted the formation of cross‐linked structures.