Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

intumesce

verb

/ɪnˈtjuː.mɛs/

Definition

To swell or expand as a result of heat.

Examples

When exposed to high temperatures, the material will intumesce and create an insulating layer.
Fire-resistant coatings often intumesce to protect the underlying structures during a fire.

Meaning

Intumesce refers to the process whereby a material, typically a solid, increases in volume and thickness due to the application of heat, often becoming porous and lighter in the process.