The thermal insulation performance of phenolic panels

Traditional steel bulkheads, with high thermal conductivity (50 W/(m·K)), accelerated flame spread, ultimately causing 32 fatalities.

This tragedy exposed critical fire safety flaws in steel shipbuilding, driving the application of phenolic composite sheets—a superior fire-resistant material—in modern vessel construction.

Phenolic sheets exhibit exceptionally low thermal conductivity (0.025 W/(m·K)), less than 0.1% of steel. Their honeycomb closed-cell structure impedes heat convection, while phenolic resin rapidly carbonizes at high temperatures to form a dense, oxygen-blocking char layer, effectively suppressing fire spread.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) mandates strict fire safety standards:

A-class partitions (e.g., bulkheads) must withstand 60-minute fire resistance tests.

B-class partitions require 30-minute fire resistance.

Both must avoid toxic fume release during combustion.

Phenolic sheets exceed these requirements. In Lloyd’s Register tests, they maintained structural integrity after 120 minutes of exposure to flames and emitted smoke toxicity far below international limits.

Modern Applications:

Cabin partitions: Phenolic sandwich sheets compartmentalize spaces into isolated fire zones.

Engine room insulation: They improve energy efficiency and provide critical time for emergency response during fires.
In 2020, a circuit fire on France’s Horizon cruise ship—equipped with phenolic sheets—was contained to a single cabin, safeguarding over 1,000 passengers.

From the lessons of the Costa Concordia to today’s fire safety innovations, phenolic composite sheets deliver proven protection, establishing themselves as an essential material for maritime safety.