HEFEI — Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China have developed a new fire-retardant construction material that can resist about 1,300 degrees Celsius flame without disintegration.

A research team led by Prof Yu Shuhong have come up with a composite aerogel with low thermal conductivity and excellent fire resistance.

The composite, synthesized from phenol-formaldehyde-resin and silica, can resist a high-temperature flame without disintegration, said researcher Yu Zhilong.

The composite is highly porous and resilient. It displays better fire-resistance than current insulation materials such as expanded polystyrene and glass wool.

According to researchers, if used in walls, the material could provide extended protection against fire-induced collapse of reinforced concrete structures, winning more time for evacuation of the building.

It can also be used to insulate older buildings.

The research results were published in Angewandte Chemie, a German academic journal.