Fire retardant compositions

Abstract

Fire retardant generally non-caking compositions of intimately intermixed ammonium phosphate, e.g. mono- and/or diammonium phosphate; sodium tetraborate containing molecularly bound water, e.g. the decahydrate, borax; and fractured finely ground solid powder particles of soda-containing silicate glass which have a high and irregular surface area and an active dry moisture absorbent surface condition for maintaining the particles of ammonium phosphate and sodium tetraborate in moisture protected disposition and for inhibiting the tendency of such particles to adhere to one another; the three components having an average particle size below about 4 mesh, the ammonium phosphate and sodium tetraborate being present in a combined predominant amount effective for imparting an active fire retarding property to cellulosic materials, and the resulting admixture being substantially dry and free flowing with the individual particles thereof in substantially uniform and non-caking distribution; Corresponding combinations of such compositions with fibers of cellulosic material forming composite fire retardant products in which the three components are in substantially uniform distribution throughout the cellulosic material and in intimate association with the corresponding fibers thereof, and particularly loose fill structural products in which the individual particles of glass, borax and phosphate are disposed in situ in entwined relation with the adjacent cellulosic fibers; and Methods of preparing such composition in the substantial absence of moisture and of autogenous mixing heat, and in turn methods of preparing such composite fire retardant products.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.