Abstract: Disclosed in an intumescent coating composition comprising an aqueous mixture of a water soluble alkali metal silicate, a hydrated metal silicate clay, and an inorganic particulate material which, when exposed to flame temperatures, endothermically releases a nonflammable gas. The coating can be applied to metal, wooden and foamed polymeric materials and serves to provide a thermal barrier against the effects of overheating.

Abstract: Disclosed are foam polymer compositions having outstanding resistance to expose to flame. The compositions comprise the product of reaction of a foamable composition and certain inorganic filler materials including one or more of (A) microexplodable micron-sized particles having an internal phase of a non-flammable gas releasing inorganic particulate material such as alumina trihydrate and an external phase of fusible inorganic material such as sodium silicate, (B) particulate, expandable alkali metal silicate, and (C) a particulate inorganic fire retardant such as ammonium salt of a phosphate or polyphosphate. The foams are self-extinguishing, essentially non dripping, and generate only low levels of smoke when impacted directly with the flame of a blowtorch.