Fire barrier i. coatings.

A novel, non-combustible thin coating, applied as an air-setting paint, is used to form a coherent fire-barrier on or between susceptible wood or plastic substrates, or other substances. Consisting of a paint-like slurry of three separate but compatible and mutually synergistic co-bonding systems, viz. magnesium "oxychloride" cement, plus high alumina mono-calcium aluminate cement, plus colloidal silica dispersed in dimethyl formamide (DMF), and utilizing an aqueous solution of magnesium chloride as the common hydrating fluid for the two cements, the coating retains its structural integrity through prolonged exposure to flame temperatures of 2000 DEG F. The coating takes advantage of its brilliant whiteness to act as a thermal radiation reflector for the high radiation component of most flames. Used alone, or in combination with structural reinforcing geotextiles, such as non-woven spunbonded polyester fabric, or woven and non-woven fiberglass or other natural or synthetic fabrics to form a laminate, the coating, while serving only transitorily as a heat barrier, effectively prevents the ignition of and flame spread of fire on the coated substrate. When placed between substrates at the partial sacrifice of the surface directly exposed to flame, it protects the back-substrate, and thus maintains structural integrity, as well as preventing the spread of flame to adjacent areas. The coating thus acts as a "fire-barrier" for which there are numerous applications.