A research team has developed a self-intumescent fire protective coating by combining epoxy resin (EP) with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and copper (I) oxide (Cu₂O). Reading tip: Epoxy resinsDue to their outstanding properties, epoxy resins are more widely used in the coating industry than almost any other class of binder. Compared to pure epoxy resin, peak heat release rates dropped by 80%, smoke production by 59.5%, and CO production by 75%. This innovation represents a promising step forward in fire safety technology for industrial and structural applications. Source: Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, Volume 21, Pages 547–558, 2024