Thermally Thin Materials with Enhanced Fire-Resistant Properties: A Dynamical Systems Model

Abstract

The burning behaviour of thermally thin materials with high characteristic temperature is investigated using a previously developed dynamical systems model. Regimes of particular interest from the viewpoint of fire-retardancy are identified and exhibited in steady-state diagrams. We explain how regimes of practical interest can be identified from the limit-point unfolding diagram and use this to determine the region of existence of these regimes as a function of the pyrolysis kinetics. This methodology provides a framework for the systematic investigation into the effectiveness of fire-retard-ants.

Keywords:

• cone calorimeter
• flammability
• polymers
• self-sustaining combustion
• smoking combustion

Additional information

Notes on contributors

M.I. NELSON

Corresponding Author: e-mail: [email protected]