Scientific Journal Problems of Emergency Situations — Skorodumova O., Chernukha A., Lysak N., Goncharenko Y., Havrylko O., Yashchenko L. Silicophosphate protective coatings for reducing the thermal signature of textile materials. С. 108-117.

A study was conducted on the possibility of obtaining flame retardant elastic coatings for textile materials with a reduced thermal signature, which can be used to protect against infrared radiation for protective suits of rescuers. The possibility of using silicophosphate flame retardant compositions to reduce the thermal signature of cotton fabrics was investigated. The nature of the influence of the concentration of SiO2 sol and the content of the orthophosphoric acid additive on the change in the thermal signature of cotton samples was determined. It was established that the flame-retardant coating creates a dense film on the surface of each fiber that forms the fabric threads, preventing the access of oxygen from the air and, accordingly, ignition, but at the same time the fabric is densified, which negatively affects its thermal conductivity. It was shown that the rate of fabric heating decreases with a decrease in the concentration of SiO2 sol to 8 %. It was found that the effect of modifying additives on the thermal signature is mainly associated with the nature of polycondensation of polysilicic acid in SiO2 sol. It was shown that Н3РО4 in small quantities is able to be incorporated into the siloxane framework of polysilicic acid, increasing the fire resistance of the coating. Excess content of this additive provokes the initiation and acceleration of the process of network polycondensation, creating inhomogeneities in the gel coating and reducing its fire-retardant and heat-insulating properties. The effect of long-term action of water on the heat-insulating properties of coatings was determined. It was shown that in the case of using SiO2 sol of 8 % concentration, long-term action of water improves the heat-insulating properties of coatings. Increasing the concentration of SiO2 sol to 14 % leads to some swelling of coatings, increasing their thickness and densifying the impregnated fabric.

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Received by the editorial board: 10.03.2026

Accepted for publication: 13.04.2026

Date of publication (release): 30.05.2026