Analytical Model of Pyrolysis for a Finite Thickness Sample on a Semi-Infinite Base (NISTIR 5904)

Published

October 28, 1996

Author(s)

Kathryn M. Butler

Abstract

To test the flammability of materials, a sample is placed on a substrate and exposed to a uniform heat flux. Measurements include sample mass and upper and lower surface temperatures as functions of time. Several analytical models have been developed in an attempt to fully understand the relationship between properties of the tested materials and test results. Most of these models have assumed a semi-infinite sample, although the finite thickness of the sample is known to have a significant effect on pyrolysis behavior. An analytical solution that includes finite sample thickness and the material properties of the base is introduced in this abstract.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 5904

Report Number

5904

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.5904

Keywords

fire research, fire science, thickness, pyrolysis, flammability tests, substrates, material properties

Citation

Butler, K. (1996), Analytical Model of Pyrolysis for a Finite Thickness Sample on a Semi-Infinite Base (NISTIR 5904), NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.5904 (Accessed October 10, 2025)