Papers by Keyword: Cone Calorimeter

Abstract: A novel intumescent flame retardant system based on shell (S) and histidine diphosphate (HF) was developed and introduced into the epoxy resin in order to verify its effectiveness in the inhibition of the burning process. To confirm the structure of HF, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used. The influence of the flame retardant system on the burning and smoke emission of the resin was assessed based on cone calorimeter (CC) measurements. Moreover, structural evaluation of polymeric materials was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the incorporation of the developed flame retardant system caused the formation of a protective layer in the form of char, which reduced burning process and smoke emission of the epoxy resin. The obtained results were better than those generated by commercial intumescent fire retardant.

Abstract: The present work analyzed the fire protection performances, char formation and heat release characteristics of the thin film intumescent fire protective coatings that incorporate the eggshell (ES) waste as a renewable flame retardant nano bio-based filler. The fire performances of the coatings were evaluated using Bunsen burner and cone calorimeter. The fire behaviors of the samples in the condensed phase were conducted in accordance with the ISO 5660-1 standard. On exposure, the samples B and D reinforced with 3.30 wt.% and 2.75 wt.% of ES nano bio-filler, respectively showed a significant reduction in total heat rate, promoting thicker and more uniform char layer in protecting the steel structural. As a result, ES nano bio-filler composition has shown to be efficient in fire protective performance of the intumescent coatings.

Abstract: In case of vehicle fires, oil leakage fires along with the emissions of heat and smoke represent significant fire risk for the combustion of whole vehicles and ambient environment. In present study, the bench-scale cone calorimeter apparatus was employed to conduct fire hazards analysis. Three typical flammable oils, namely OAT, ATF and GLF were used as experimental materials. The heating radiation levels were set from 15 kW/m² to 40 kW/m² in steps of 5 kW/m². Specific parameters, such as ignition time (TII), heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR) and CO concentration, have been studied to provide a comprehensive fire behavior assessment of the oils. The ignition times have a liner relationship with external heat fluxes. And the critical heat fluxes (CHF) of ATF and GLF are 6.0 kW/m² and 3.8 kW/m², respectively. The derived HRP, FPI and FGI values of ATF remarkably indicate that this oil can contribute more thermal hazard while OAT has the lowest. However, FED values reveal highest toxic hazards of GLF. OAT is the safest materials in terms of three typical oils.

Abstract: This paper presents possible deviations between advanced (performance-based or ‘realistic’) and simplified calculations of initiation and spread of a fire in a factory for the production of insulation panels made of extruded polystyrene (XPS). Simplified procedures, discussed in the paper, are founded on several assumptions regarding the evolution of the fire. They are normally based on a great deal of practical experience of the fire designer and/or reports of eyewitnesses of similar fires. Provided that the latter are easily accessible, such procedures are fast and can provide a reasonably good first impression regarding the expected fire as the paper shows. However, they also almost inevitably lead to temperatures which are somewhat underestimated in the most intense fire phase but are overestimated in the decaying phase. Hence, for a more reliable calculation, advanced procedures are recommended.

Abstract: With the building integrated photovoltaic commonly using in residential and commercial buildings, fire researches about this new renewable energy system are still insufficient. Electrical failure may bring local fever at the backside of the module. In order to investigate fire potential in this situation, bench-scale experiments based on the cone calorimeter are conducted with different external heat flux from 20 to 45kWm-2 at intervals of 5 kWm-2. This paper focuses on the thermal properties and combustion behaviors of copper–indium–gallium–diselenide (CIGS) thin-film solar module, and also discusses the gas toxicity.

Abstract: The ignition and combustion characteristics of the fibre-reinforced phenolic composite were studied experimentally employing cone calorimeter. Various parameters, including the ignition time, the mass loss and mass loss rate (MLR), the heat release rate (HRR) and the concentration of the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide were measured and presented. Linear correlations of the transformed ignition time (1/t_ig)^0.55 and 1/t_ig, the first and second peak MLR, the average MLR and the peak HRR with the heat flux were demonstrated. Based upon the correlations and theoretical analyses, flammability properties including the critical heat flux (CHF) and the minimum heat flux, the ignition temperature, the heat of gasification and the heat of combustion were calculated. The specimen with the thickness of 3 mm was prone to be thermally thin material. The peak concentration of the carbon dioxide increased with the heat flux. However, the peak concentration of the carbon monoxide declined with an increase in the applied heat flux.

Abstract: This work reports the flammability properties of Nanocomposites reinforced with silica and PTFE nanoparticles and toughened with an elastomeric ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Through trial and simulation study of the flame retardant thermoplastic polymer and melting characteristics of PP in the combustion process.The study found that modified PP composites have good flame retardancy compared to PP in case of fire relatively.In the study,the melting characteristics of the thermoplastic polymer affected the mass loss rate in the combustion stage.Nanocomposites experienced low plastic mass loss compared with PP, this has been related to pyrolysis mechanism of polymer.In general,The polymers undergoing depolymerization will lead to a rapid volatilization and therefore experienced much less melting.The results showed that:total heat release of nanocomposites was higher than polypropylene, while the average heat release rate, the maximum heat release rate, the average effective heat of combustion, the average mass loss rate, the average specific extinction area, and other indicators were lower than polypropylene.

Abstract: Experimental study on the burning behavior of four kinds of common automotive internal decorating materials including fur cushion, flannel cushion, dacron seat cover and felt carpet by means of cone calorimeter are introduced in this paper. Compared with the four kinds of materials from the perspective of ignition time, HRR, peak HRR and carbon monoxide release rate under different heating flux, burning behaviors of these materials are analyzed. According to analysis results, the risk of automotive fire disasters can be objectively evaluated. In a word,it’s helpful to study their burning behaviors and point out proper methods of application.

Abstract: Natural fiber composites (NFC) and glass fiber composites (GFC) have been prepared by incorporating elephant grass fibers and glass fibers in to polyester matrix via hand layup technique. In this study, the fire properties of composites have been evaluated by cone calorimeter. The addition of elephant grass fiber has effectively reduced the average heat release rate (Av. HRR) and peak heat release rate (PHRR) of the matrix by 28 %, and 36 %, respectively. Maximum average heat rate emission and carbon monoxide yield of the bio composites decrease substantially compared with that of matrix. However, average carbon dioxide yield, and total smoke release values of matrix are slightly increased with the addition of the elephant grass fiber. The NFC ignites earlier, release greater levels of heat when compared with that of GFC. Average HRR, PHRR and THR values of NFC are about 39%, 71% and 38% greater than those of GFC, respectively. Further, theoretical models were used to predict time to flashover and FO classification of composites.

Abstract: In this article, an improved procedure based on ISO 5660-1 and ASTM E1474 was developed to ensure the effectiveness and reliability of cone calorimeter test of textile fabrics. In order to improve the instability for some easy shrinking fabrics exposed under heat in cone calorimeter test, an iron wire grid was applied to cover the top surface of polypropylene nonwovens and polyester fabrics to avoid drastic distortion caused by heating irritation. Results showed that the iron wire grid could avoid the distortion of the easy shrinking samples and stable test process, also success probability and results repeatability were also improved. A guiding effect was found during the test caused by the grid, which leaded to a better uniformity of polymer melt under the thermal or even on fire.