Effects of Sample Mounting on Flammability Properties of Intumescent Polymers

Published

January 1, 1993

Author(s)

Takashi Kashiwagi, Thomas G. Cleary

Abstract

Various flammability properties of polycarbonate samples were measured with the Cone Calorimeter and Lateral Ignition and Flame Spread, LIFT, devices at various external fluxes. Four different sample mountings were used with the Cone Calorimeter to investigate the effects of sampling mounting on the flammability properties of these samples. One sample mounting configuration employed the standard metal edge frame and a grid to retain intumesced char. The other three samples mounting configurations allowed the intumesced char to rise free. The results show that peak heat release rates and heat release rate curves were significantly affected by the sample mounting configuration but total heat released, effective heat of combustion, and soot yield were not significantly affected. Flame spread characteristics were measured with the LIFT. Two sample mounting configurations were used, the standard method and the standard method with the addition of wire grid to retain intumesced char. Significant differences in flame spread rates were observed between the two sample mounting configurations with and without the grid. This was caused by difference in flame spread rates versus rising rates of char.

Citation

Fire Safety Journal

Volume

20

Issue

No. 3

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

heat release, fire hazard, sampling, flammability, polycarbonates, cone calorimeters, char, heat release rate, heat of combustion, soot, flame spread, flame spread rate, lateral ignition

Citation

Kashiwagi, T. and Cleary, T. (1993), Effects of Sample Mounting on Flammability Properties of Intumescent Polymers, Fire Safety Journal, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=912160 (Accessed December 5, 2024)