Fire resilience researchers expect new fabric coating to be on sale within a year

UNSW researchers have developed a novel, water-based spray coating that makes cotton materials slower to catch fire, though “without altering the fabric’s softness or breathability”.

According to a statement from the university on Wednesday, the formula has been developed over two years by a team led by Professor Guan Yeoh, and has been supported through the ARC Research Hub for Fire Resilience Infrastructure, Assets and Safety Advancements (FRIASA.) 

The coating was created “with everyday materials in mind”, such as shirts and bedding, and could be another element of protection for those living in bushfire-prone areas.

The formula is described as using non-toxic ingredients with phosphorous and nitrogen elements, which act as the binder, and a water-soluble cellulose extract. In combination, these create a thin protective coating able to  bind firmly to natural fibres such as cotton, and the “phosphorus tightens the carbon layer which repels the heat.”

“In the final formulation, we only use a concentration of about 10 to 15 [per cent] to make it easier to spray onto surfaces – and dries instantaneous[ly] too,” said Yeoh in a statement.

“This results in a fabric that resists burning and significantly reduces heat transfer, without stiffening or any noticeable colour changes.

“And since the bottle is completely sealed to prevent oxidation, it has a very long shelf life. If the bottle is kept tightly sealed, we can expect it will last more than a year.”

The release adds that Yeoh has partnered with N2N AI and expects the product to be commercially available “within the next year.”

The development follows other work by the professor and his team of fire-resistant product experts, which created the fire-retardant paint FSA Firecoat, which is now sold at Bunnings.

Yeoh is Director of FRIASA, which was launched in July and funded through a $5 million grant from the Australian Research Council.

Picture: supplied

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