Buildings
Structure, lining, insulation or finish depending on family.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength8
Heat resistance60
Fire performance88
Insulation70
Workability80
Circularity42
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Quick answers
Is Intumescent coating non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: coating on A1 steel; system tested. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Intumescent coating insulate?
Thermal mark 70/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: char foam becomes the insulator.
What is the density band?
wet film as specified
How is it made?
Origin story: 1960s–70s commercial IFR; cellulosic vs hydrocarbon curves (US / UK / DE).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 42/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
designed to foam ~200–300 °C
heat 60 · fire 88
Intumescent coating earns its keep in systems: a beam, a batt, a fibre blend, a coated steel — rarely a lone coupon.
Products below are cultural landmarks as much as SKUs.
Sectors
Transport
Mass, fire and fatigue rewrite the grade list.
Energy
Heat, voltage and hydrogen compatibility.
Consumer
The volume that pays for the mill.
Medical / food
When allowed — extractables and allergies matter.
Defence / safety
Ballistics, FR clothing, fire stops.
Products
Exposed Corten+IFR
2000s
ISO 834 furnace
1975–
UL 1709 jet fire
offshore
APP-PER-MEL triad
chem
DFT gauge
site
Hydrocarbon epoxy
1980s–
Wood IFR varnish
historic
Topcoat weathering
2010s
Pairings
steel
The substrate that needs the char.
gypsum-board
The bulky alternative.
mineral-wool
Spray or board fire protection.
nomex
FR for people, not for beams.
If the pairing is wrong, the material will be blamed for a system fault.
Keep exploring
More in Fire performance
🏠
Gypsum board
CaSO4·2H2O panels that buy fire time by calcining — the everyday A2/A1 lining of interiors.
Overall 59 👨🚒Nomex
DuPont’s meta-aramid — fire-fighter turnout, electrical paper and a char that does not melt-drip like nylon.
Overall 65 🌡️Ceramic fibre
Spun refractory fibres for 1000–1400 °C — kiln linings, gaskets, and a respirable-fibre caution that AES grades try to ease.
Overall 62