LDH Fire Retardant Technology Explained

The mechanism

Three defences that trigger together

A layered double hydroxide is built from stacked metal-hydroxide sheets. Between those sheets sit carbonate anions and water molecules. When fire raises the temperature, that stored chemistry goes to work.

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1. Cools & dilutes (gas phase)

Heating drives off the interlayer water and carbonate as water vapour and CO₂. This is endothermic — it pulls heat out of the flame front and dilutes the flammable gases and oxygen a fire needs.

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2. Chars & shields (condensed phase)

The layers catalyse a compact, continuous char and collapse into a refractory metal-oxide barrier that insulates the surface below. Our TGA measured 82.4% residue at 899°C.

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3. Suppresses smoke

The layered structure and char trap smoke and toxic gases as the material breaks down — the exact opposite of halogenated retardants, which tend to make smoke worse.

Why a colloid — easy to use

Mix it into paint or water, then just apply

Aeon Core is a ready-to-use semi-solid colloidal gel — not a dry powder you have to fight to disperse. Powder fire retardants clump, need high-shear mixing to break up, and throw off hazardous fine dust. Aeon Core arrives already dispersed (~285 nm nano-particles, confirmed by DLS), so you just stir it into paint or water and get an even coat — no grit, no dust, no special equipment.

No dusty powder — a pre-dispersed gel means safer handling and uniform protection (powders agglomerate and disperse unevenly, which hurts performance)
Mix into paint — add fire protection to a coat you're already applying
Or dilute with water and brush, roll or spray on its own
Semi-solid so it clings to the surface instead of running off; dries to an even, clear film

Aeon Core LDH colloid mixed and applied across surfaces

Why it works in paint

Built to live in your paint, not fight it

Most powders you'd stir into paint are acidic — and acid shocks water-based (latex) paint, making it curdle. Aeon Core is different by chemistry.

Aeon Core is alkaline (~pH 10) — the same band as waterborne paint — so it blends in and stays stable, instead of shocking and curdling the latex the way acidic additives can.

Alkaline by nature (~pH 10) — the same alkaline band as waterborne paint, so it blends in and stays stable instead of curdling the latex.
2D nanoplatelet reinforcement — LDH acts as a functional nanofiller; in coatings it can raise hardness and abrasion resistance while keeping the film clear.
Multifunctional — the same anion-exchanging layers that fight fire also scavenge corrosive ions, adding a corrosion-protection bonus.

The layered double hydroxide (LDH) structure: positively-charged metal-hydroxide layers with water and anions stored in the galleries between them — a built-in, water-releasing fire suppressant.

The structure

What a layered double hydroxide is

Answer first: an LDH is a stack of positively-charged metal-hydroxide layers with water molecules and anions locked in the galleries between them. The material carries its own water reservoir at rest.

That structure is the whole secret to its fire performance: heat drives off the interlayer water as cooling vapour and collapses the layers into a stable, non-combustible mineral residue that shields the surface. Our lab data — FTIR, TGA, XRD and DLS — confirms exactly this structure and behaviour.

See the test data →

Application guide

How to apply Aeon Core LDH fire retardant

A clear, step-by-step routine for a durable, protective finish.

Prepare the substrate

Ensure the surface is clean, dry and free of dust, oil or grease. Lightly sand glossy surfaces for better adhesion.

Apply uniformly

Apply the gel evenly using a brush, roller or spray gun, depending on the size and shape of the area.

Dry to a clear finish

Allow the coating to dry completely to form a clear, protective layer. Ventilate the area while drying.

Recoat if needed

For high-exposure areas or heavier substrates, apply a second coat once the first has cured.

FAQ

LDH technology — your questions

What is LDH (layered double hydroxide)?

LDH is a class of layered mineral compounds — metal-hydroxide sheets with exchangeable anions (like carbonate) and water held between the layers. This structure lets LDH store and release water and absorb heat, which is exactly what makes it an effective, non-toxic flame retardant.

What is the difference between LDH and intumescent fire retardants?

Intumescent coatings swell into a foam char when heated. LDH works by endothermic decomposition — it absorbs heat, releases water vapour and leaves a stable inorganic residue. LDH is halogen-free, non-toxic and does not rely on producing large volumes of char, making it well suited to thin, clear coatings on wood, paper and fabric.

Why is halogen-free important?

Halogenated (brominated/chlorinated) flame retardants can release corrosive, toxic gases and dioxins when they burn, and several are restricted internationally. Halogen-free LDH avoids these hazards — on heating it gives off water vapour and inert residue.

How do I apply the coating?

Clean and dry the surface, apply Aeon Core evenly by brush, roller or spray, and let it dry to a clear finish. See the step-by-step guide below.

How LDH Fire Retardant Technology Works