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Durable flame-retardant protection for wood surfaces using core–shell particles
The Institute of Wood Technology Dresden (IHD) is developing novel core–shell flame retardants designed to retain their performance over time and prevent migration from coatings. The aim is to provide long-term fire protection for wood surfaces, even in outdoor environments.
Coating systems based on acrylate, polyurethane, polyester or alkyd resins are highly flammable and can fully decompose under thermal stress. On wood-based substrates, this significantly increases the fire load. Conventional flame retardants (FRs) can mitigate this effect, but often show a pronounced tendency to migrate. In outdoor applications, weathering can lead to the leaching of FRs, resulting in a loss of fire protection. Migration can also release volatile harmful substances.
The Institute of Wood Technology Dresden gGmbH (IHD) is addressing this issue in the FR-Core Shell project (funding code 49MF24001). The objective is to synthesise core–shell particles with a flame-retardant core – for example phosphate-based – enclosed by a stable shell. This design aims to combine high flame-retardant performance with effective migration resistance, while ensuring compatibility with water-borne coating formulations.
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Adaptation for practical applications
The project focuses on optimising particle size and integrating the core–shell particles into coating formulations without impairing their properties. Comprehensive chemical, physical and mechanical testing is being carried out to verify performance. Fire behaviour tests on coated and weathered wood substrates form a key part of the evaluation to demonstrate the long-term effectiveness of the technology.
The project is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy under the INNO-KOM funding guideline, “Market-oriented Research and Development” module.
Source: Institut für Holztechnologie Dresden gGmbH, FR-Core Shell project (2025).
