| Abstract: | A consistent and relatively simple method is presented for studying the unpiloted ignition of polymeric materials in contact with hot air. The ignition behavior of a particular polymer as determined by its bulk properties may be characterized by the relationship between sample mass and ignition time at constant area for a series of furnace temperatures. Extrapolation of this linear relationship at a given furnace temperature to zero mass results in an intrinsic ignition time which represents the rate of the ignition process when the time required to heat the sample to its decomposition temperature has been eliminated, i.e., the sample is brought to its decomposition temperature instantaneously. The temperature dependence of this intrinsic ignition time shows an Arrhenius relationship with an apparent activation energy of 8–10 kcal/mole for all but one material investigated. This indicates that the mechanism controlling the kinetics of such an ignition process is a physical one, most likely the diffusion of combustible gaseous products into the heated air surrounding the sample. |
