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Fire Properties of Polymer Composite Materials pp 133–161Cite as

Modelling the Thermal Response of Composites in Fire

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Part of the book series: Solid Mechanics and Its Applications ((SMIA,volume 143))

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of fibre reinforced polymer composites in fire is a complex topic that involves the combined effects of thermal, chemical and physical processes. The thermal processes include heat conduction from the fire through the composite; heat generated or absorbed from the decomposition reactions of the polymer matrix, organic fibres and core material; heat generated by the ignition of flammable reaction gases; and convective heat loss from the egress of hot reaction gases and moisture vapours from the composite into the fire. The chemical processes include thermal softening, melting, pyrolysis and volatilisation of the polymer matrix, organic fibres and core material together with the formation, growth and oxidation of char. The physical processes can involve thermal expansion and contraction, internal pressure build-up due to the formation of volatile gases and vaporisation of moisture; thermally-induced strains; delamination damage; matrix cracking; surface ablation; and softening, melting and fusion of fibres. Many of these processes do not occur in isolation from each other, but usually influence other processes that add to the complexity of the behaviour of composites in fire. Understanding these processes and how they interact is essential to understanding the fire reaction and fire resistive properties of composite materials.

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(2006). Modelling the Thermal Response of Composites in Fire. In: Fire Properties of Polymer Composite Materials. Solid Mechanics and Its Applications, vol 143. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5356-6_5

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