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Reaction‐to‐fire properties of polymer matrix composites with integrated intumescent barriers
Author(s) -
Eibl Sebastian
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
fire and materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.482
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1099-1018
pISSN - 0308-0501
DOI - 10.1002/fam.2266
Subject(s) - intumescent , composite material , fire performance , materials science , coating , composite number , sandwich structured composite , polymer , fire resistance
Summary The integration of an intumescent barrier between the plies of prepreg based polymer matrix composite and sandwich panels is investigated in detail with regard to reaction‐to‐fire properties. Incident heat flux, panel thickness and insertion depth within the panel were varied systematically. Fire retarding effects are compared to the application of an intumescent and top coating on the surface. All tests were carried out with a commercial material: HexPly® 8552/IM7 by Hexcel. Design rules for an effective improvement of reaction‐to‐fire properties are derived. Two practical applications were identified not interfering with mechanical properties: A metal mesh as support for the intumescent material underneath a single top ply and the one‐sided integration in a sandwich with the possibility to expand into the honeycomb. Degradation mechanisms are characterized by cone calorimetry and temperature development throughout the specimens. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.