Fire-retarding properties of nano-silver in solid woods

Fire-retarding properties of 200 ppm nano-silver solution, with a size ranging from 20 to 80 nm, on five woody species were studied and compared with Borax and Celcune (A (R)) . Blocks of 150 x 130 x 9 mmA(3) were prepared and divided into four groups of control samples, nano-silver-, Borax-, and Celcune-impregnated specimens. A special apparatus was designed, and six fire-retarding properties of each specimen were measured, namely ignition, glowing, back-darkening and back-holing times, as well as length and width of burning. Results showed that all three kinds of treatments had improving effects on the fire-retarding properties. Celcune showed the best improvement on glowing time. Cluster analysis showed direct relation between density and fire-retardant properties; also, fire-retarding behaviors of the four hardwoods were quite different to those of the one softwood. Furthermore, there are improvements in some fire-retarding properties of nano-silver-impregnated specimens that are in connection with its heat-transfer property.