Company News
Clark and Martin Present at Reebok Foam Seminar
July 24, 2009
Chemguard Senior Fellow/Technology, Kirtland Clark, Ph.D., and Director of Chemical Technology Thomas Martin, Ph.D., discussed recent advancements in short-chain fire-fighting fluorosurfactants and fluorine-free fire-fighting foams at the 4th Reebok Foam Seminar, held July 6 and 7 in Bolton, England.
In his presentation, “Chemguard is Preparing for a Future Without C8-2 Telomer Based Surfactants,” Dr. Clark noted that some of the newly developed Chemguard short-chain (C6)* polymeric surfactants have surface tension as low as 14.5 dynes/centimeter, yet have foam expansion and drain, burnback performance, and sprinkler performance characteristics similar to C8-based fluorosurfactants, such as FS-220B and FS-221.
“One of our new products, Chemguard FS-326, also provides a strong polar solvent barrier layer while being an effective surface active agent at about 15 dynes/centimeter with 0.05% actives,” Dr. Clark stated. “No present commercial polar solvent additive can be considered a surfactant.”
Dr. Martin compared the performance of Chemguard’s fluorine-free Ecoguard synthetic fire-fighting foam concentrate to fluorine-containing foams based on physical properties, toxicity, and UL 162 standard fire testing in his presentation, ECOGUARD Fluorine-Free Fire-Fighting Foam." The first and only UL Listed fluorine-free foam for multiple applications – topside and sprinkler – Ecoguard is readily biodegradable and presents the lowest environmental impact of any UL Listed Class B fire-fighting foam.
“With heightened regulatory scrutiny and increasing customer demand for ecologically friendly foam alternatives, several fire-fighting foam manufacturers have developed fluorine-free foams to complement their existing AFFF and AR-AFFF product line,” Dr. Martin explained. “With Chemguard Ecoguard, fire-fighting professionals have a choice between a fluorine-free foam concentrate and AFFF concentrates with short-chain, C6 fluorosurfactants for effective industrial, marine, military, and municipal fire suppression using handlines and sprinklers.”
Chemguard is continuing to develop and manufacture low-fluorine-content AFFF, alcohol-resistant AFFF (AR-AFFF), and other leading-edge, six-carbon-molecule (C6) foam products.
For more information, contact Chemguard Fire Suppression customer support.
* Short-chain products contain six or fewer fluorinated carbons.
Chemguard is a global, full-service, ISO 9001:2000 Certified manufacturer of fire suppression foams, equipment, and systems; specialty pumps; and fluorosurfactant specialty chemicals. Known for advanced R&D, engineering/design expertise, quality manufacturing, and high-quality, field-tested products, Chemguard provides unmatched customer support.