Paints that swell into insulating char — the thin-film way to give steel an R-rating without bulky boards.
Also called: intumescent paint · reactive fire protection · IFR coating
Intumescent coating is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under fire: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.
Scores compare Intumescent coating with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.
Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.
Deep introduction
Intumescent coating (acid source + carbon + spumific (typical APP/PER/MEL)) is a family of grades whose density wet film as specified, heat band designed to foam ~200–300 °C, and fire letter coating on A1 steel; system tested.
Intumescent coating is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry acid source + carbon + spumific (typical APP/PER/MEL), density wet film as specified, heat band designed to foam ~200–300 °C.
This atlas treats Intumescent coating as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.
Conductivity note: char foam becomes the insulator. Insulation score 70/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.
Fire letter in editorial use: coating on A1 steel; system tested. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.
Origin: 1960s–70s commercial IFR; cellulosic vs hydrocarbon curves, US / UK / DE. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.
Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: steel.
Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.
Circularity mark 42/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.
Global · 2000s
Exposed Corten+IFR is a reference point in the public image of Intumescent coating.
International · 1975–
ISO 834 furnace is a reference point in the public image of Intumescent coating.
United States · offshore
UL 1709 jet fire is a reference point in the public image of Intumescent coating.
Global · chem
APP-PER-MEL triad is a reference point in the public image of Intumescent coating.
Global · site
DFT gauge is a reference point in the public image of Intumescent coating.
North Sea · 1980s–
Hydrocarbon epoxy is a reference point in the public image of Intumescent coating.
Europe · historic
Wood IFR varnish is a reference point in the public image of Intumescent coating.
Façades · 2010s
Topcoat weathering is a reference point in the public image of Intumescent coating.
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Same family or rival physics — pick a duel.
Closest neighbours on the six atlas axes — strength, heat, fire, insulation, workability and circularity.
Melted rock or glass spun into A1 batts — the default non-combustible insulation of codes.
Overall 69 🏠CaSO4·2H2O panels that buy fire time by calcining — the everyday A2/A1 lining of interiors.
Overall 59 🫧Si–O backbone elastomers and resins — bakeware, medical tubing, façade sealants and a kinder high-temp story than carbon chains.
Overall 55 🌡️Spun refractory fibres for 1000–1400 °C — kiln linings, gaskets, and a respirable-fibre caution that AES grades try to ease.
Overall 62CaSO4·2H2O panels that buy fire time by calcining — the everyday A2/A1 lining of interiors.
Overall 59 👨🚒DuPont’s meta-aramid — fire-fighter turnout, electrical paper and a char that does not melt-drip like nylon.
Overall 65 🌡️Spun refractory fibres for 1000–1400 °C — kiln linings, gaskets, and a respirable-fibre caution that AES grades try to ease.
Overall 62