The new Crystic Fireguard 75PA Excel is an intumescent topcoat which is applied to the surface of a cured fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) laminate to protect it from fire. In contact with fire the intumescent topcoat expands to form a non-flammable protective layer that insulates the surface over which it has been applied.

Scott Bader reports that Crystic Fireguard 75PA Excel can withstand a direct flame at a temperature of 700°C for over 60 minutes without the laminate behind catching fire.

The original Crystic 75PA has been specified for over 30 years in internal applications which need to meet BS 476 Part 6 Class 0 or BS 476 Part 7 Class 1 fire test standards, including interior parts in buildings, rail and other public transport vehicles, as well as in the marine sector where it is used to protect the engine compartments of both working boats and pleasure craft.

Princess Yachts International, a manufacturer of luxury motor yachts, has been using Crystic 75PA Excel.

“Safety is taken seriously at Princess Yachts and all our vessels have to follow the strictest guidelines," says Julian Spooner, Composites Project Manager for Princess Yachts. "Where fire protection is required we use Scott Bader’s Crystic Fireguard 75PA Excel. It is easy to apply and gives a first class finish. More importantly it gives a very high fire performance that means the laminates will achieve a Class1/0 performance to BS 476 Parts 6 and 7.”

Wright Composites of Ballymena, Northern Ireland, a manufacturer of FRP parts for passenger vehicles, reports that Crystic Fireguard 75PA Excel has an improved consistency and cure, and is easier to handle. Overall, the company found Crystic Fireguard 75PA Excel easy to apply by brush or with a roller and that it was touch dry ‘tack free’ within 30 minutes.

Scott Bader supplies Crystic Fireguard 75PA Excel in 25 kg kegs and 225 kg drums. It is available as standard in black, white and grey, but other colours can be manufactured on request (100 kg minimum order). Crystic Fireguard 75PA Excel is cured with a standard MEKP catalyst (2% addition by weight).

While it has been designed primarily for use as topcoat for FRP, Crystic Fireguard 75PA Excel can also be used on interior wood sections or other parts made from slightly porous materials.