New firefighting application for superabsorbents
BASF is continuing to expand its applications portfolio for superabsorbents. Its latest product is an innovative firefighting gel distributed worldwide by Astaris LLC, a leading provider of chemical firefighting solutions, under the brand name Phos-Chek® Focstop (in the United States under the brand name Phos-Chek® AquaGel).
Special superabsorbents can be mixed with water to form a gel that can either be applied as a protective cover against fire over homes, gardens or other terrain or used directly for firefighting. It is applied via suitable hoses or aerially from helicopters or planes. In the case of forest or bush fires, the gel can effectively protect neighboring homes or towns.
In contrast to conventional gels, Phos-Chek® Focstop does not leave an oily residue on surfaces after it has been applied. Another advantage is that it is delivered in powder form and therefore has a longer storage life and requires less inventory space than ready-mixed gels. Users simply mix the powder with water for a ready-to-use gel.
Technical superabsorbents are crosslinked polyacrylates and are marketed worldwide by BASF as a direct derivative of acrylic acid. Thanks to their capacity to safely absorb large volumes of liquid, superbsorbents are widely used in the hygiene industry. The advantage for firefighting is that just a small volume of superabsorbents mixed with water form a gel. This aqueous gel offers effective and longer lasting protection because it does not seep away as quickly as water but instead adheres well to the surfaces in need of protection and can be easily removed later on by washing.
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