Researchers Create a New, Fire-Proof Plastic

Recently, researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have created a synthetic polymer that doesn’t burn, which is a giant breakthrough in the plastics industry. Synthetic polymers are the building blocks of all plastics, from computers to seats on buses and airplanes. Regular plastics are so flammable that they have often been referred to as “solid gasoline.” In order to make plastics safe for household and commercial use, manufacturers of plastic have to add certain chemical to the plastics in order to make them fire-retardant, costing them a lot of money.

But besides the monetary aspect of manufacturing plastics, the chemicals that make the plastics fireproof have been showing up as particles in dust in houses and offices, in fish, and even in breast milk, raising a lot of concerns regarding the health of those exposed, a.k.a. everyone. The state of Washington has even banned certain types of these chemicals in order to combat these startling findings, being the first state ever to do such a thing.

Fueled by these statistics and many others, the researchers at UMass Amherst decided to delve into the world of plastics. When something burns, part of the substance turns to a gas (the flame) and some of it turns to char (what is left behind). Most plastics, before having any additives added, have a char yield of zero, meaning that everything burns. Although the additives can substantially increase the char yield (meaning less fire), the chemicals themselves are potentially dangerous and very reactive, like chlorine, bromine, and phosphorous.

However, the polymer that the researchers developed naturally has a char yield of 70%, without any additives. Plus, instead of releasing noxious chemicals when it burns, it releases water vapors. In essence, it is killing two birds with one stone in the plastics world. The polymer is just as strong, lightweight, and flexible as the other polymers, if not more so.

The FAA is particularly interested in such a polymer, considering that 40% of the people who don’t die on impact in a plane crash do die because of the intense fires fueled by the plastics within the plane. Richard Lyon, manager of the FAA’s fire research program, said, “We have to invent plastics that don’t yet exist-plastics that don’t burn, or burn so slowly that there is ample time for passengers to escape from an aircraft fire.” Later, he said regarding the new polymer, called BHDB, “This is an environmentally friendly solution with a lot of economic potential.”

The next step in the research at UMass Amherst is to produce several tons of the polymer, enough to build a mini-scale aircraft in order to run tests regarding passenger safety. If the new plastic proves worthy, it could find its way into bus seats, household items, and even combat gear for soldiers.

Source: Stan Freeman, “UMass Team Develops Fireproof Plastic.” The Republican. URL: (http://blog.masslive.com/breakingnews/2007/05/umass_team_develops_fireproof.html)