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Absorption of Thermal Radiation by Burning Polymers
Published
Author(s)
Gregory T. Linteris, Mauro Zammarano, Boris Wilthan, Leonard M. Hanssen
Abstract
In large-scale fires, the input of energy to burning materials occurs predominantly by radiative transfer. The in-depth absorption of radiant energy by a polymer influences its ignition time and burning rate. The present investigation examines two methods for obtaining the absorption coefficient of polymers for infrared radiation from high-temperature sources: a broadband method and a spectral method. Data on the broadband absorption coefficient for two thermoplastics, poly(methyl methacrylate)and polyoxymethylene are presented, and they are found to vary with thickness. Implications for modeling of mass loss experiments are discussed.
Proceedings Title
Fire and Materials 2011
Conference Dates
January 30-February 2, 2011
Conference Location
Ssan Francisco, CA
Conference Title
Fire and Materials 2011; 12th International Conference
Linteris, G.
, Zammarano, M.
, Wilthan, B.
and Hanssen, L.
(2011),
Absorption of Thermal Radiation by Burning Polymers, Fire and Materials 2011, Ssan Francisco, CA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=907602
(Accessed October 11, 2025)