GAS PHASE COMBUSTION STUDIES OF FLAME RETARDANT POLYMERS IN THE MICROSCALE COMBUSTION CALORIMETER

摘要

The microscale combustion calorimeter (MCC) is a standardized test that measures the flammability of materials by thermally degrading a sample and completely oxidizing the volatiles. Series of experiments have been performed using the MCC where the temperature of the combustion furnace was lowered to effect incomplete combustion. The ratio of the oxygen consumed at lower temperatures to the stoichiometric amount for complete combustion is the combustion efficiency. Combustion efficiencies were measured as a function of temperature to derive combustion kinetics using a gas phase reaction model. Kinetic parameters were determined for neat samples and samples with different loadings of flame retardant additives. The kinetic parameters can be used to relate the controlled oxidation in the MCC to flaming combustion in the cone calorimeter. Properties such as flame geometries and temperatures can be derived from fuel generation rates measured in the cone calorimeter when coupled with the MCC kinetic data. In addition to measuring oxygen depletion, the MCC was modified to include CO and CO2 production measurements. These measurements provide additional information about the reaction rates and chemistry in the flame when additives are used. This data provides a quantitative measure of the effectiveness of flame retardants and will provide information for optimum loadings to maximize their effectiveness in the flame.