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Climate change

Enhancing Fire Performance of Medium-density Fiberboards Using Biochar and Expandable Graphite Coatings

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new research study has been published in the Journal of Building Engineering, detailing the development of effective and eco-friendly flame retardants for wood-based materials. The study, led by researchers from Yonsei University, used biochar and expandable graphite coatings to improve the fire resistance of medium-density fiberboards (MDFs). The research found that the use of biochar and expandable graphite coatings resulted in significant reductions in peak heat release rate and total smoke production, making them effective approaches to improving the fire resistance of MDFs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The development of effective and eco-friendly flame retardants for wood-based materials is crucial for improving fire safety in building construction.
  • The research used biochar and expandable graphite coatings to improve the fire resistance of MDFs, which are widely used in building construction.
  • The use of biochar and expandable graphite coatings resulted in significant reductions in peak heat release rate and total smoke production.
  • The melamine-carbon matrix in the biochar and expandable graphite coatings demonstrated excellent thermal resilience and chemical stability.
  • Thermal conductivity measurements indicated 7.1% and 6.5% reductions for MFBC and MFEGC, respectively, compared with untreated MDFs.
  • Performance evaluations via cone calorimetry revealed significant reductions in peak heat release rate by 14.3% for MFBC and 69.1% for MFEGC relative to standard MDFs.
  • The research concluded that the novel use of biochar and expandable graphite coatings with melamine coatings is an effective approach to improving the fire resistance of MDFs.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Building Engineering.

Statistics:

  • Peak heat release rate was reduced by 14.3% for MFBC and 69.1% for MFEGC relative to standard MDFs.
  • Total smoke production was reduced by 81.3% for MFEGC.
  • Thermal conductivity was reduced by 7.1% and 6.5% for MFBC and MFEGC, respectively.
  • The study was funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Republic of Korea.

Sources:

  • "Enhancing Fire Performance of Medium-density Fiberboards Using Biochar and Expandable Graphite Coatings." Journal of Building Engineering, 2025;104.
  • Elsevier, Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Yonsei University, Dept. of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Seoul 03722, South Korea
  • Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Republic of Korea
  • NewsRx LLC. "New Findings from Yonsei University in the Area of Sustainable Development Described (Enhancing Fire Performance of Medium-density Fiberboards Using Biochar and Expandable Graphite Coatings)." Ecology, Environment & Conservation. June 20, 2025; p 285.

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