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Molar group contributions to polymer flammability
Author(s) -
Walters Richard N.,
Lyon Richard E.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.11466
Subject(s) - flammability , heat capacity , polymer , molar mass , materials science , combustion , molar , polymer chemistry , pyrolysis , oxygen , chemical engineering , thermodynamics , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , medicine , physics , dentistry , engineering
The specific heat‐release rate is the molecular‐level fire response of a burning polymer. The Federal Aviation Administration obtains the specific heat‐release rate of milligram samples by analyzing the oxygen consumed by the complete combustion of the pyrolysis gases during a linear heating program. Dividing the specific heat‐release rate (W/g) by the rate of the temperature rise (K/s) of a sample during a test gives a material fire parameter with the units (J/g K) and significance of the heat (release) capacity. The heat‐release capacity appears to be a true material property that is rooted in the chemical structure of the polymer and is calculable from additive molar group contributions. Hundreds of polymers of known chemical compositions have been tested to date, providing over 40 different empirical molar group contributions to the heat‐release capacity. Measured and calculated heat‐release capacities for over 80 polymers agree to within ±15%, suggesting a new capability for predicting flammability from the polymer chemical structure. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 548–563, 2003