{"id":2347,"date":"2016-07-12T01:04:20","date_gmt":"2016-07-12T01:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/permabond.com\/fire-resistant-adhesives-4-crucial-properties\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T18:40:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T18:40:41","slug":"fire-resistant-adhesives-4-crucial-properties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/permabond.com\/fr\/fire-resistant-adhesives-4-crucial-properties\/","title":{"rendered":"FIRE RETARDANT ADHESIVES \u2013 4 CRUCIAL PROPERTIES"},"content":{"rendered":"

The requirement for fire retardant\u00a0adhesives is increasing and their use expands to a number of different industry sectors examples including aerospace, construction, electronics and public transport (trains in particular).<\/p>\n

Navigating Industry-Specific Regulations and Approvals for Adhesive Development and Fire Retardancy<\/h2>\n

Regulations and approvals for each industry sector are different and also vary between countries. For this reason, as an adhesive manufacturer, it is vital we treat each customer application as a new product development. This ensures the adhesive matches the customer\u2019s performance and application requirements, as well as meets the particular industry\/country regulations regarding fire retardancy.<\/p>\n

Most approvals are application-based, and the adhesive bonded joints or laminated parts need to be tested for fire retardancy in a typical assembly (so if bonding composite layers which have been sandwiched together with an adhesive, the whole \u201csandwich\u201d is tested).\u00a0 It is a good idea to start with an adhesive that is confirmed as non-burning so you don\u2019t waste time and money further down the track and must start again. One of the most recognized testing standards is UL94 testing which is discussed in more detail later in this article.<\/p>\n

The other added challenge with regulations and approvals is that they are constantly changing and becoming ever stricter (it is very rare to see a regulation relaxed!). Following a major fire disaster or transport incident where deaths have occurred due to fire or toxic smoke inhalation, industries review their standards and bring in new legislation.\u00a0 After the London Kings Cross disaster, underground stations and trains were subject to important new rules to ensure any adhesives used in public areas were fire retardant. German rules were stepped up after the Dusseldorf airport fire. Aircraft cabins have to be flame resistant and not give off toxic smoke.\u00a0 As a result, many traditional building materials, such as wood, have been replaced with non-burning composite materials to help inhibit the spread of fire; of course, any adhesives used to bond these materials also need to be fire retardant.<\/p>\n

Criteria<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Fire<\/p>\n

1:<\/strong> So, one of the obvious key criteria is to be flame resistant \/ non-burning or, better still, inhibit flames \u2013 properly fire retardant.<\/p>\n

2:<\/strong> the adhesive should not give off excessive or toxic smoke.<\/p>\n

3:<\/strong> The adhesive needs to maintain its structural integrity at high temperatures (have as good a temperature resistance as possible).<\/p>\n

4:<\/strong> Decomposed adhesive material should not contain toxic by-products.<\/p>\n

It looks like a tall order to come up with an adhesive that can match these requirements – and at this stage, viscosity, colour, cure speed and preferred cured method, gap fill, strength performance, thermal conductivity, and packaging haven\u2019t even been considered. But the development chemists enjoy a good challenge so BRING IT ON!<\/p>\n

Flame retardance<\/h2>\n

Adhesives can be developed to match a sliding scale of fire retardancy \u2013 here are details of the Underwriters Laboratory Testing classifications. As adhesive manufacturers, we are seeing requests mainly for the UL94 V-0 and occasionally for the HB.<\/p>\n

UL94<\/h4>\n