Calculating Polymer Flammability from Molar Group Contributions

Walters, Richard; Lyon, Richard E.

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Calculating Polymer Flammability from Molar Group Contributions

2001-09-01
By Walters, Richard ; Lyon, Richard E.

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

Walters, Richard ; Lyon, Richard E.
Corporate Creators:

Galaxy Scientific Corporation ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. William J. Hughes Technical Center. Fire Safety Section
Subject/TRT Terms:
- Thermochemistry
- Polymers
- Flammability
- Combustion
- Fire
- Pyrolysis
- Kinetics
- Heat release
Publication/ Report Number:

DOT/FAA/AR-01/31
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

United States
Edition:

Final Report
Corporate Publisher:

United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation Research
Abstract:

Specific heat release rate is the molecular-level fire response of a burning polymer. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) obtains the specific heat release rate of milligram samples by analyzing the oxygen consumed by complete combustion of the pyrolysis gases during a linear heating program. Dividing the specific heat release rate (W/g) by the rate of temperature rise (K/s) gives a material fire parameter with the units (J/g-K) and significance of a heat (release) capacity. The heat release capacity appears to be a true material property that is rooted in the chemical structure of the polymer and is calculable from additive molar group contributions. Hundreds of polymers of known chemical composition have been tested to date, providing over 40 different empirical molar group contributions to the heat release capacity. Measured and calculated heat release capacities for 80 polymers agree to within ±15%, suggesting a new capability for predicting flammability from polymer chemical structure.
Format:

PDF
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/92724/dot_92724_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 426.14 KB]
Collection(s):

FAA Fire Safety
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:9f8896c1548f5442b6ed61b2e66d7148032d7605f362638159f9f927f14400b1d7f6b0a28988536c386f445c205510273bab819733f931d3df4f263508769d16

File Language:

English

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