Prediction of the mass loss rate of polymer materials: Impact of residue formation

Published

April 21, 2012

Author(s)

Gregory T. Linteris, Bernhard Schartel, Florian Kempel, Stanislav Stoliarov, Richard E. Lyon, Richard N. Walters, Anja Hofmann

Abstract

Two different numerical simulation tools, Fire Dynamic Simulator (FDS) and ThermaKin, are investigated with respect to their capability to predict the mass loss rate of polymer materials exposed to different fires. For validation, gasification apparatus and cone calorimeter tests are conducted. The main focus is on the influence of residue formation. Therefore, poly(butylene terephtalate) (PBT) and PBT reinforced with glass fibres (PBT-GF) are investigated and compared. PBT decomposes almost completely, while PBT-GF forms residue. The materials are characterized in order to provide suitable input parameters. Additionally the total incident heat flux to the sample is measured. With accurate input parameters, FDS and ThermaKin predicted the pyrolysis behaviour of PBT very well. Only some limitations are identified regarding the residue-forming PBT-GF. Both numerical simulation tools demonstrate a high value regarding the assessment of parameters’ relative impacts

Citation

Combustion and Flame

Volume

159

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

Polymer flammability, Pyrolysis Simulation, Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), ThermaKin

Citation

Linteris, G. , Schartel, B. , Kempel, F. , Stoliarov, S. , Lyon, R. , Walters, R. and Hofmann, A. (2012), Prediction of the mass loss rate of polymer materials: Impact of residue formation, Combustion and Flame (Accessed December 26, 2024)