Experimental investigation into the influence of ignition location on flame spread and heat release rates of polyurethane foam slabs

This study presents the results from a set of 11 large‐scale open fire tests performed on flexible polyurethane foam slabs/mattresses. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of the ignition location on the fire behaviour of the foam slabs and to generate data on a highly characterised material that could be used for modelling work in the future. A method for obtaining spatially resolved flame spread data for this type of material was presented using a gridded array of 5 × 10 thermocouples placed on the underside the foam slab and from this, flame spread was examined using three different approaches. The heat release rate (HRR) results showed clear shapes forming that were dependent on the ignition location, with two distinct behaviours being observed between the various different ignition locations, this was also observed in the calculated flame spread rate (FSR) data. Results within an individual test, showed the calculated range of FSRs over the geometry of the slab varied between approximately 1 and 8 mm/s depending on the ignition location. The average FSR values between tests varied between 3 and 7 mm/s and the maximum and minimum values were calculated to be approximately 11 and 2 mm/s respectively.     

点火位置对乳胶泡沫水平火蔓延规律的影响

为研究点火位置对乳胶泡沫材料水平方向火蔓延规律的影响。搭建小尺寸实验平台,在距离材料中心点0（x1）、3.54 cm（x2）、7.08 cm（x3）、10.62 cm（x4）、14.16 cm（x5）、17.70 cm（x6）位置处点火,研究了试样表面温度、质量损失、火焰高度、火蔓延速度等特性参数的变化规律。结果表明,随着点火位置由材料中心点向边缘点移动,平均火蔓延速度分别为0.24、0.23、0.19、0.31、0.42、0.51 cm·s^-1,呈现先减小后增大的规律;x3点火位置时的平均火焰高度较低,燃烧时间较长,平均质量损失速率较低,主要与火蔓延过程中的热量传递方式有关。研究结果显示了乳胶泡沫的火蔓延过程,得到了点火位置对火蔓延的影响规律。     

阻燃硬质聚氨酯泡沫塑料垂直火蔓延特性研究

通过一步合成法制备了阻燃硬质聚氨酯泡沫,自主搭建保温材料火蔓延实验台,采用中小尺寸实验对比研究了阻燃及非阻燃硬质聚氨酯的垂直火蔓延特性,分析了火焰结构特性、火蔓延速度、火焰温度、质量损失速率等参数的变化规律。结果表明,火蔓延过程中,材料表面均出现了炭化现象,垂直双面燃烧过程中聚氨酯纯样RPUF燃烧最剧烈,阻燃剂膨胀石墨(EG)、次磷酸铝(AHP)和二乙基次膦酸铝(ADP)的加入,抑制了材料的燃烧和蔓延,使材料燃烧的火蔓延速度、质量损失速率及温度等参数都相应降低。RPUF/AHP5垂直双面火蔓延过程中,火焰稳定性差,在20 s后出现熄灭现象,原因是阻燃剂次磷酸铝(RPUF/AHP5)受热挥发出难燃气体。AHP降解后形成的含磷化合物可促进聚氨酯分子链成炭,导致产生熄灭现象。而RPUF/ADP5火蔓延过程中,同样出现了熄灭现象,其熄灭的程度低于阻燃剂次磷酸铝(RPUF/AHP5)试样。RPUF/EG5火蔓延过程中试样表面温度存在两个峰值,由于RPUF/EG5燃烧生成的炭层不稳定所致。当温度高于400℃时炭层被迅速氧化,热量穿透炭层使内部未燃样品热解,生成温度的第二个峰值。     

乳胶泡沫引火位置对火蔓延特性的影响

利用自行搭建的小尺寸实验平台,开展了对不同点火位置的乳胶泡沫材料燃烧过程的对比实验,通过对火蔓延过程中的部分重要参数（如最大火焰高度、火蔓延速度和蔓延过程中样品表面温度变化等）的测定,分析了点火位置不同时,乳胶泡沫材料的火蔓延特性。结果表明：边缘点火和中间点火条件下,最大火焰高度分别为397和491 mm,火蔓延速度分别为1.8和0.97 mm·s^-1;边缘点火时的乳胶泡沫材料表面火蔓延过程中的温度低于中间点火情况下。     

Effect of shielding rates on upward flame spread over extruded polystyrene foam in vertical channel and heat transfer mechanism

Fire hazard of extruded polystyrene (XPS) thermal insulation materials has aroused public concern. In order to develop flame spread theory and the guideline for fire risk assessment of XPS, an experimental study on upward flame spread behavior and heat transfer mechanism of XPS in a vertical channel with different frontal shielding rates was conducted. Maximum temperature at the place 2 cm from XPS surface and at the center of channel first increase and then decrease as the shielding rate rises. The former is higher than the latter. Experimental value of average flame height rises as the shielding rate increases. A model for predicting the flame height is built, and the predicted results are consistent with the experimental results. Moreover, the relation between flame height and pyrolysis height under different shielding rates is obtained. The flame spread rate rises as the shielding rate increases. A prediction model of flame spread rate is established, and its prediction results are more accurate compared with those from previous models. The model also predicts that radiative heat transfer is the dominant heat transfer mode, accounting for 93% of the total heat transfer. This work is beneficial for fire risk assessment and fire safety design of building façade.     

Vertical flame spread on charring materials at different ambient temperatures

A new flame spread apparatus for the measurement of flame spread rates at different ambient temperatures is presented. A 2‐m long sample is pre‐heated with air to the desired temperature and ignited from its lower end with a small propane burner. The flame spread is traced with thermocouples in contact with the sample surface. The features and function of the new apparatus are described, as well as series of vertical flame spread experiments on cylindrical birch rods and electrical cables made of polyvinylchloride (PVC) and flame retardant non‐corrosive (FRNC) materials. Vertical flame spread rates 6–62 mm/s (temperature range 22–271 °C) were determined for birch samples, 3–24 mm/s (22–190 °C) for PVC cable samples, and 0–4 mm/s (22–293 °C) for FRNC cable samples. Small‐scale experiments with thermogravimetric analysis and cone calorimeter were performed to characterize the sample materials in terms of their thermal and fire behaviour. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study on downward flame spread over extruded polystyrene foam in a vertical channel: Influence of opening area

Experimental methods and theoretical analysis are employed to investigate effects of channel opening area on downward flame spread characteristics of extruded polystyrene (XPS) thermal insulation materials on building facade. The average flame height first drops and then rises as dimensionless opening area (the ratio of sidewall opening area to sidewall area, ie, S^*) increases. As S^* rises, both the average and maximum temperature of the curtain wall decrease, and the decreasing of the average temperature is linear. XPS surface temperature history can be divided into four stages, ie, inapparent rising stage (preheating), significant rising stage (melting), dropping stage (pyrolysis), and rerising stage (ignition). The preheating length first rises and then drops as S^* increases. The XPS flame spreads steadily at the early period while acceleration occurs at the later period. For different opening areas, the difference in spread distance history is not apparent in the early stage while this difference is significant in the later stage. The flame spread rate (V_f) first increases and then decreases as S^* rises. A downward flame spread model for XPS in vertical channel with openings is built. The varied trend of V_f predicted using this model corresponds to the experimental result.     

Study of vertical upward flame spread on charring materials—Part II: Numerical simulations

Simulation results, obtained by means of application of an enthalpy‐based pyrolysis model, are presented. The ultimate focus concerns the potential of the model to be used in flame spread simulations. As an example we discuss vertically upward flame spread over a charring material in a parallel plate configuration. First, the quality of the pyrolysis model is illustrated by means of cone calorimeter results for square (9.8 cm × 9.8 cm exposed area), 1.65 cm thick, horizontally mounted MDF samples. Temperatures are compared at the front surface and inside the material, for different externally imposed heat fluxes (20, 30 and 50 kW/m²), for dry and wet samples. The mass loss rate is also considered. Afterwards, vertically upward flame spread results are reported for large particle board plates (0.025 m thick, 0.4 m wide and 2.5 m high), vertically mounted face‐to‐face, for different horizontal spacings between the two plates. The simulation results are compared to experimental data, indicating that, provided that a correct flame height and corresponding heat flux are applied as boundary conditions, flame spread can be predicted accordingly, using the present pyrolysis model. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Image analysis of flame behavior for polyolefins and polystyrene in vertical flame test

Although the UL-94 vertical flame test is often used to evaluate the flammability of polymers based on ignition time and combustion duration parameters, a significant amount of information regarding the time course of combustion is difficult to analyze in detail. Herein, image analysis of the time course of the upper and lower end heights, total area, and color division of flame was performed for polyolefins and polystyrene with different molecular weights in the vertical flame test. The combustion process was classified into two stages: before and after the first drip. In the first stage, the upward spread velocity, oscillation, and color of flame were analyzed. It was assumed that the difference in the fuel production rates or thermal decomposition products depends on the molecular structure. In the second stage, the melt flowability, flame position, and combustion continuity differed vastly depending on the molecular structure or molecular weight.     

Estimation of heat release rate based on analysis of flame spread behavior in mattresses

To investigate the fire danger of mattresses, combustion experiments were conducted with a mattress installed at different heights above the floor to better understand their combustion behavior. The installation height was varied because the height of a mattress varies depending on the bed frame, and the combustion behavior is expected to change with the installation height. Experiments with a mattress installed at 0–515 mm above the floor revealed that the fire growth was faster, and the maximum heat release rate (HRR) increased with installation height. In contrast, in a series of experiments where a mattress was installed above a water pool, the flame spread rates and HRR histories were comparable for all installation heights. This demonstrate that the combustion behavior of the mattress was affected by the combustion of the molten mattress material that dropped to the floor, and this effect was influenced by the mattress installation height. Furthermore, we analyzed the HRR per unit area of mattress construction material using cone calorimeter tests to mimic the combustion taking place on the floor. Combining these results with the relation between the length of the burning part of a mattress at the front of flame spread and the HRR, we proposed a model for predicting the HRR history of mattress for a flame ignition at the center of its longitudinal side. The derived predictive model for the HRR history of mattress combustion emphasize that it is necessary to understand factors such as the intense radiant heat from the pool fire.     

Experimental study of horizontal flame spread over rigid polyurethane foam on a plateau: effects of sample width and ambient pressure

The effects of sample width and ambient pressure on horizontal flame spread over horizontal rigid polyurethane foams are experimentally studied. A series of comparative experiments are conducted at two places with different altitudes in China. The sample surface temperature, spread rate, and height of flame are measured over a range of sample widths from 4 to 16 cm. Experimental results show that the horizontal flame spread rate decreases as the sample width increases in a negative power law at both two altitudes and the flame spread rate in the Hefei plain (at an altitude of 30 m) is larger than that on the Tibetan plateau (at an altitude of 3658 m) of the same width. The horizontal flame spread mechanism on the rigid polyurethane foam is analyzed qualitatively in comparison with the results of the flame spread rate of expanded polystyrene foams. The relationship between the dimensionless flame height (H_f/W) and the sample width (W) is obtained by using Froude number similarity. It is found based on the experimental data under two different ambient pressures that the average value of the exponent of the ambient pressure in the power law for the horizontal flame spread rate is about 1.9, which is in good agreement with the theoretical value 2.0. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of transient heat release rate and crosswind on flame length and tilt angle of flames at different positions in the spread of fire over a diesel pool

The spread of fire over liquid fuel is a common phenomenon, and it has been demonstrated experimentally that the flame length and tilt angle change with the transient heat release rate and different positions of the flame. The coupling relationship between these factors is studied in this paper. The experiments are composed of a rectangular pool with dimensions of 80 cm × 6 cm × 5 cm and crosswind with speeds of 0.8 to 2.4 m/s. Diesel is used as the fuel, and a new method is applied to ensure that the initial temperature of the diesel is constant during ignition. The results show that the traditional method of luminous flame intermittency may not be suitable for studying the geometric characteristics of the spread of fire over a pool, and a new method is proposed. In addition, the transient variation of flame length in different positions of the pool is shown to fluctuate around a mean flame length. The evolution of flame tilt angle along the longitudinal direction of the pool exhibits a U‐shaped curve. Moreover, the multivariate nonlinear relationships of mean flame length and tilt angle among the heat release rate, fire position, and wind speed are established, and relevant coefficients are determined.     

Study of pyrolysis and upward flame spread on charring materials—Part I: Experimental study

In this paper, we describe the results from an experimental campaign, focused on vertical upward flame spread over a charring material. First, for validation purposes of simulation tools, we report on cone calorimeter results for square (9.8cm×9.8cm), 1.65 cm thick, medium density fibre samples, mounted horizontally. Temperature is shown at the surface and at different depths. The mass of the sample is continuously measured. From the raw data, we derive the temporal evolution of the mass loss rate due to pyrolysis. Different externally imposed heat fluxes are investigated (20, 30 and 50kW/m²), onto dry and wet material. Afterwards, for the configuration of two particle board plates (0.025 m thick, 0.4 m wide and 2.5 m high), vertically mounted face to face is considered. Two different horizontal spacing distances between the two plates are studied (30.5 and 10.5 cm). The purpose of this set‐up is to investigate the vertical upward flame spread with strong radiative heat feedback. To that purpose, the temporal evolution of surface temperature is measured over the height of the plates. The measurement data are used to test a pyrolysis model in numerical simulations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Relative humidity versus moisture content relationship for several commercial wood species and its potential effect on flame spread

Recently, measured flame spread indices on commercial wood species tested per ASTM E84 were found to be lower than previously published data. One reason for this may be that the hygrothermal conditioning of the red oak calibrant required by the test standards for measuring flame spread was changed between 1973 and 1981. This paper examines how much variability there is in the moisture content of commercially important wood species at 50% relative humidity by collecting water vapor sorption isotherms. Additionally, the effect of moisture content on the flame spread was evaluated after conducting 14 tests with eastern white pine in accordance with CAN/ULC‐S102 and four in accordance with ASTM E84 at four commercial test laboratories. For the sorption isotherms, it was found that the moisture contents at 50% relative humidity ranged from 6.8% to 11.4% moisture content and depended on the species and whether the specimens had been conditioned in absorption or desorption. The flame spread indices, as measured as different laboratories, also varied from 37% at 10.4% reported moisture content to 200% at 6.5% reported moisture content. The findings suggest that the wood moisture content and conditioning requirements of the standards are important test variables that affect the flame spread results.     

The effects of angular orientation and ultraviolet aging on ETFE wire flame spread

This paper considers the solid phase heat conduction along with the effect of ultraviolet (UV) aging on the flame spread and separately discussed the upward and downward flame spread. The 0.15‐mm‐thick ethylene‐tetrafluoro‐ethylene (ETFE) insulated with a 0.5‐mm‐diameter copper core used in the paper. The flame spread was measured at various inclined angles (vertical ± 90^○, to horizontal 0^○) in the directions of gravity assistance (up) and gravity opposition (down). The ETFE was categorized into two groups: the unaged ETFE (ETFE‐U) and the UV aged ETFE (ETFE‐A). The kinetic parameters of samples were obtained from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) test. The flame spread experimental results showed that the bigger the absolute inclined angle, the higher the flame spread rate. Besides, the effect of UV aging on the upward spread is greater than that of the downward spread. A theoretical system was established through the flame spread experiments and TGA test. The heat flux and the flame spread rate of upward and downward equations were presented to reveal the effects of solid conduction, orientation, inclination, and UV aging on wire flame spread.     

可膨胀石墨和碳纳米管对PMMA火蔓延特性的影响

通过熔融共混法制备了9种PMMA复合阻燃材料,对其进行小尺寸的水平火蔓延实验研究,对比分析了可膨胀石墨(EG)和碳纳米管(Carbon Nanotube, CNTs)阻燃剂的加入对材料燃烧特性的影响,主要研究了火蔓延速度、火焰形态、固相温度、质量损失速率等火蔓延特性参数变化规律。结果表明,EG能产生阻燃效应,随EG含量增加,复合材料的火蔓延速度、质量损失速率、表面热流密度均有所减小;CNTs表现出拮抗和协同阻燃的复合效应。EG含量较低时,添加1% CNTs反而会使火蔓延速率加快;随着EG含量增加,拮抗作用逐渐消失,最后表现为协同阻燃,原因是CNTs的高热导率、“灯芯效应”促进表面燃烧作用和EG/CNTs体系阻燃性之间存在竞争关系;添加EG和CNTs前后,火蔓延过程中表现出明显不同的燃烧行为,未添加阻燃剂前PMMA会产生熔融滴落物积聚成池火,表现为明显的热塑性材料燃烧特征;加入EG和CNTs后则会形成碳层,表现为明显的可碳化材料燃烧特征。     

阻燃羊毛纤维的热性能研究

用氟锆酸钾、有机二酸处理羊毛线、用热分析、剩碳率及氧指数等分析方法对其阻燃性进行了研究,并用Kissinger方程计算热降解反应活化能。实验证明：经过阻燃处理的羊毛毛线比未经阻燃处理的羊毛毛线的剩碳率、氧指数均有所提高,热降解反应活化能和热分解温度降低。     

Melamine amino trimethylene phosphate as a novel flame retardant for rigid polyurethane foams with improved flame retardant,mechanical and thermal properties

Melamine amino trimethylene phosphate (MATMP) as a novel nitrogen‐phosphorus flame retardant, was synthesized by the reaction of melamine with amino trimethylene phosphonic acid (ATMP) in aqueous solution. The structure of MATMP was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid state 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermogravimetric analysis. Rigid polyurethane (RPU) foams were prepared by one‐shot and free‐rise method, using MATMP as a flame retardant. The flame retardant, mechanical and thermal properties of MATMP in RPU foams were studied. It is found that the RPU foam containing 15 wt % MATMP (sample RPUMA‐15) can pass the UL‐94 V0 test with a limiting oxygen index of 25.5%. The cone calorimeter test results show that the peak heat release rate of RPUMA‐15 is reduced about 34% compared with that of untreated RPU foam. SEM results indicate that the RPU foams with MATMP can form the good and compact char during burning which provides better flame retardancy. The compressive strength of the RPU foams filled with MATMP first increases and then slightly decreases with an increase in the MATMP content comparing with that of untreated RPU foam. Moreover, thermal conductivities of the MATMP filled RPU foams are about 0.03 W/m K. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45234.     

硅酸盐阻燃木材的阻燃性能和热性能研究

通过二次浸渍工艺获得了硅酸盐阻燃木材样品,通过极限氧指数(LOI)测试了样品的阻燃性能,通过热分析结合扫描电子显微镜(SEM)研究了样品的热降解过程。结果表明:通过二次浸渍工艺可获得阻燃性能优良的阻燃木材,过渡金属硅酸盐可有效的催化木材第二阶段的降解反应,促进炭的生成,还可以在高温下形成熔体覆盖在剩炭的表面,有效提高剩炭的稳定性,同时隔绝可燃性气体的逸出,避免热量和O2的进入,使木材具有良好的阻燃性能。     

Synergistic effects of magnesium oxysulte whisker and multiwalled carbon nanotube on flame retardancy,smoke suppression,and thermal properties of polypropylene

In this work, multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-modified magnesium oxysulfate whisker (MOSw) (MOSw-MWCNT) is successfully synthesized via a facial hydrothermal method. MWCNT is bonded on the surface of MOSw via a bidentate bridging mode of the carboxylate ligation without changing their crystal structures. Then MOSw-MWCNT is incorporated into polypropylene (PP) matrix to prepare series of PP/MOSw-MWCNT composites via melt blending. Cone calorimetry test, horizontal and vertical test, and limit oxygen index (LOI) results all show a significant synergistic effect of MOSw and MWCNT on flame-retardant PP. PP/7MOSw-3MWCNT composite exhibits the lowest peak heat release rate, total heat release, peak smoke production rate, total smoke production, and burning speed of 332.3 kW/m², 87.4 MJ/m², 0.0212 m²/s, 47.7 m² and 23.2 mm/min, respectively. The LOI value of PP/7MOSw-3MWCNT composite is increased to 23.1% from 18.0% of neat PP. The scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectra of residue char indicate that the degree of graphitization and compactness of the residue char are increased with the amount of MWCNT. The introduction of MOSw and MWCNT both improves the thermal stability of PP matrix, but the excess MWCNT leads to the decomposition of the unstable residue char since its excellent thermal conductivity.