At present the research is made on using metals in disperse state for suppression of combustibility of organic materials, particularly plastics and laminates. The conducted research shows that elements from the copper subgroup (copper, gold, silver) are most suitable for this, which are situated below hydrogen in the electric series. They feature relatively low normal electrode potentials of transfer into the state of the lowest oxidation level. Most promising particle forms of the copper subgroup elements which can be introduced into resin systems are nanoparticles.
The department of advanced materials of STTC «ApATeCh - Dubna» has developed a formulation of polymer resin modified with claster nanocopper particles. Basing on this resin a pilot batch of bridge structural profiles has been produced by pultrusion which possess high physical-mechanical and thermal properties and have high combustion resistance.
Nanocopper particles
GFRP profile produced with nanocopper modified resin