The Auto-Ignition of Multicomponent Fiber Systems

Abstract

Using a simple experimental procedure for determining the time until ignition after a material is plunged into a heated air environment, it is possible to obtain kinetic data for this auto-ignition process. Results on homogeneous polymeric materials show that, while the rate controlling factors in every case are physical rather than chemical, ignition times at any single temperature depend on the basic thermal degradation process of each polymer. The study also includes work on multicomponent systems, including a mixed fiber blend as well as polymers treated with non-polymeric additives. For each combination studied it is possible to detect whether the presence of a second component has had only a physical influence on ignition, or whether thermal degradation has been affected by chemical interaction. Such data can serve to distinguish modifiers of flammability that act on the ignition process from those that are literally flame retardants or accelerators.