Improving fire protection of steel coating

This Final Year Report explores the fire performance of coating on steel structures, attempts to identify the research gap on disadvantages of current methods of creating coatings such as high thermal oxidation rate, and conduct experimental methods to improve the coating’s fire protection capability, mainly char rigidity. The current steel coating market uses mainly 4 methods to protect against fire. Firstly, gypsum board, which is the most widely used substrate for false ceilings, is known for its ability to withstand heat. It has a noncombustible center that comprises water that has been chemically mixed in calcium sulfate. Secondly, concrete block construction which provides durability, fire resistance and thermal mass which adds to energy efficiency. Thirdly, Cementitious fireproofing, which is a cement-based substance from Portland which is batched and sprayed on-site. It is intended to provide structural steel members with fire protection but can also be used to shield structural concrete. And lastly, Intumescent coatings, often referred to as intumescent paint, which are used in buildings as a passive fire resistance measure. Intumescent coating will also be the main mechanism that the experiment in this report will based on.Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Engineering