Fire Properties of Polymer Composite Materials

Preface 1; Introduction: 1.1 Background; 1.2 Fire reaction and fire resistive properties of composites; 1.3 Composites and fire; 1.4 Case studies of composites in fire; 1.5 Concluding remarks; References; 2Thermal Decomposition of Composites in Fire: 2.1 Introduction2.2. Thermal decomposition mechanisms of organic polymers; 2/3 Rate processes and characterisation of decomposition; 2.4 Polymers and their decomposition processes; 2.5 Fire damage to composites; 2.6 Concluding remarks; References; 3 Fire Reaction Properties of Composites: 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Time-to-ignition; 3.3 Heat release rate; 3.4 Extinction flammability index & thermal stability index; 3.5 Mass loss ; 3.6 Smoke; 3.7 Smoke toxicity; 3.8 Limiting oxygen index; 3.9 Surface spread of flame; 3.10 Fire resistance; References; 4. Fire Modelling of Composites: 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 Thermal exposure; 4.3 Modelling material fire dynamics; 4.4 Structural modelling of fire response; References; 5 Modelling the Thermal Response of Composites in Fire: 5.1 Introduction; 5.2 Response of composites to fire; 5.3 Modelling heat conduction in composites; 5.4 Modelling the fire response of composites; 5.5 Modelling the thermal properties of composites; 5.6 Concluding remarks; References; 6. Structural Properties of Composites in Fire: 6.1 Introduction; 6.2 Laminate properties; 6.3 Measurement of elastic constants; 6.4 Mechanical properties as a function of temperature; 6.5 Modelling of properties; 6.6 Fire resistance of laminates under load; 6.7 Modelling of fire resistance of laminates under load; 6.8 Concluding remarks; References; 7. Post-Fire Properties of Composites: 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Post-fire properties of laminates; 7.3 Modelling the post-fire properties of laminates; 7.4 Post-fire properties of sandwich composites ; 7.5 Post-fire properties of fire protected composites; 7.6 Concluding remarks; References; 8 Flame Retardant Composites: 8.1 Introduction; 8.2 The combustion cycle; 8.3 Flame retardants for composites; 8.4 Flame retardant fillers for composite; 8.5 Flame retardant organic polymers for composites; 8.6 Flame retardant inorganic polymers for composites; 8.7 Flame retardant fibres for composites; 8.8 Fire protective surface coatings; References; 9 Fire Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites: 9.1 Introduction; 9.2 Characterization of nanocomposite formation; 9.3 Evaluation of fire retardancy; 9.4 Clay modifications; 9.5 Examples of fire retardancy of polymer nanocomposites; 9.6 Mechanisms of fire retardancy in nanocomposites; 9.7 Future trends in fire retardancy of nanocomposites; References; 10 Fire Safety Regulations: 10.1 Introduction; 10.2 Fire safety regulations for rail; 10.3 Fire safety regulations for automobiles, buses and trucks; 10.4 Fire safety regulations for civil infrastructure; 10.5 Fire safety regulations for civilian aircraft; 10.6 Fire safety regulations for ships and submarines; References; 11 Fire Tests for Composites: 11.1 Introduction; 11.2 Scale of fire reaction tests; 11.3 Cone calorimeter; 11.4 Atmosphere controlled cone calorimeter; 11.5 Intermediate-scale cone calorimeter; 11.6 Ohio State University calorimeter; 11.7 Limiting oxygen index test; 11.8 Flame spread tests; 11.9 Smoke density tests; 11.10 Furnace tests; 11.11 Burn-through & jet-fire tests; 11.12 Single burning item test; 11.13 Room fire tests; 11.14 Structural integrity in fire tests; 11.15 Aircraft fire tests; 11.16 Concluding remarks; References; 12 Health Hazards of Composites in Fire: 12.1 Introduction; 12.2 Smoke toxicity test methods; 12.3 Health hazards of combustion gases; 12.4 N-gas model for smoke toxic potency; 12.5 Health hazards of fibres; 12.6 Personal protective wear against burning composite materials; 12.7 Concluding remarks; References; Subject Index