When Fordagard is present in a burning polymer, it will act as a flame retardant in several ways; firstly the absorption of heat acts to lower the temperature of the material and hence reduce flame spread. Secondly the presence of water vapor near the surface of the polymer will lead to oxygen depletion and reduce the burning rate of the gases. Thirdly Fordagard promoted the formation of a char which prevents heat being returned back to the polymer. Fordagard also acts as a smoke suppressant, a solid phase reaction occurs whereby the high surface area aluminum oxide formed as a result of decomposition during burning absorbs the combustion products responsible for the formation of soot particles. Applications: Typical uses of Fordagard as a flame retardant are in glass reinforced plastics (GRP), Encapsulation resins, Cable bedding compounds, Carpet backing, Solid surfacing and Foams