# IMDEA Materials develops multifunctional fire-retardant coating prototype

- Published: 2026-11-06 13:16 UTC
- Section: Machines & Making › Materials science
- Tags: IMDEA Materials, fire protection coating, graphene oxide sensor, epoxy composite, flame retardant, char formation, material recycling
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-3bc6ea3994d5761215f2dbc8_imdea_materials_develops/

**Researchers combined passive heat shielding with active electrical fire detection and post-use recycling in an experimental epoxy composite.**

![IMDEA Materials develops multifunctional fire-retardant coating prototype](https://sgzwpqqelzmajkcubgkl.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/rt-media/2026/11/e5afd93c5c90f47e.jpg)
*National Institute of Standards and Technology, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain*

Researchers from the IMDEA Materials Institute and collaborating institutions have developed an experimental multifunctional coating designed to insulate surfaces, detect flames, and be reprocessed after disposal, according to knowridge.com [1]. In laboratory fire tests, coated aluminum sheets withstood direct flame exposure at 1,200 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes, with the reverse surface remaining below 400 degrees Celsius [1]. Under identical conditions, an unprotected control plate burned through in roughly two minutes [1].

## Flame protection and sensing mechanism

The formulation integrates an epoxy resin matrix with graphene oxide and a bio-based flame-retardant additive derived from phytic acid [1]. When exposed to elevated temperatures, the composite forms an insulating, carbon-rich char layer that restricts thermal transfer to the underlying substrate [1]. Concurrently, the electrical conductivity of the embedded graphene oxide shifts under flame contact, enabling the experimental coating to send an electrical alarm signal within approximately 3.5 seconds [1].

## Mechanical recovery and upcycling

Beyond primary protection, the authors evaluated end-of-life recovery by mechanically processing the coating into a fine powder [1]. The recovered material retained chemical structures containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon, which were subsequently mixed into polypropylene alongside another flame retardant [1]. In test plastics, this recycled additive continued to facilitate char formation rather than functioning solely as an inert filler [1]. Further investigations will assess the performance of the system in practical operating conditions across extended operational lifespans [1].

## Sources

1. [knowridge.com](https://knowridge.com/2026/11/smart-coating-can-resist-flames-and-trigger-an-early-fire-warning)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-3bc6ea3994d5761215f2dbc8_imdea_materials_develops/