Post on 29-Mar-2015
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
WELCOMEWELCOME
Introduction to basic ideasIntroduction to basic ideas
of composites in fireof composites in fire
WELCOMEWELCOME
Introduction to basic ideasIntroduction to basic ideas
of composites in fireof composites in fire
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
FIRE REACTIONFIRE REACTION
The response of the material, especially in the early stages of a fire, and its interactions with the environment.
Can be further subdivided into:
progress of the fire
human survivability.
These can be regarded as characteristics of the material and can, quite often be determined from relatively small samples.
Many properties (for instance, time to ignition and surface spread of flame) are influenced by the material at the surface of the product.
The overall composition contributes to average heat release.
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
FIRE RESISTANCEFIRE RESISTANCE
the ability of the structure to retain functionality during a fire,
the ability of a physical barrier such as a wall, bulkhead or protective coating to limit heat flux and prevent damage to material remote from the fire
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Properties and testsProperties and tests
Pool fire tests
Burner tests
Furnace tests
Jet-fire tests
FIRE RESISTANCE
Smoke generation
Toxicity indexHuman survivability
Oxygen index
Combustibility
Time-to-ignition
Surface spread of flame
Peak heat release
Average heat release
Single burning item test
Start-up and progress of fire
FIRE REACTION
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Polymeric matrices are Polymeric matrices are flammableflammable
Fire requires:Fire requires: Fuel Oxygen Heat source
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
FuelFuel
Combustion occurs mainly in the Combustion occurs mainly in the gaseous phasegaseous phase
HeatHeat
OO22
SmokeSmoke
Combustion Combustion productsproductsFlameFlame
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
FuelFuel
Combustion requires:Combustion requires:
HeatHeat
OO22
SmokeSmoke
Combustion Combustion productsproducts
•gaseous fuelgaseous fuel•diffusiondiffusion
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
SolidSolidPolymerPolymer
VolatilesVolatiles++
CharChar
HeatHeat++
Combustion Combustion productsproducts
HeatHeat
OO22
Polymer combustion
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
SolidSolidPolymerPolymer
VolatilesVolatiles++
CharChar
HeatHeat++
Combustion Combustion productsproducts
HeatHeat
OO22
Polymer combustion
Effect of char Effect of char formation?formation?
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
CH2 CH2
CH2 CH2CH2
CH2 CH2
Phenolic resinPhenolic resin(or resin with high aromatic content)(or resin with high aromatic content)
Char Char
Char formation
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
SolidSolidPolymerPolymer
VolatilesVolatiles++
CharChar
HeatHeat++
Combustion Combustion productsproducts
HeatHeat
OO22
Polymer combustion
SuppressSuppresscombustion?combustion?
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
ADVANTAGE:ADVANTAGE: Considerable reduction in ignitability Considerable reduction in ignitability
and surface spread of flameand surface spread of flame
DISADVANTAGE:DISADVANTAGE: Only of real use when the Only of real use when the polymer itself is the main fuel source.polymer itself is the main fuel source.
When there is another fuel source, the polymer willWhen there is another fuel source, the polymer will
burn.burn.
Halogens produce increased smoke and toxicityHalogens produce increased smoke and toxicity
when the polymer does burn.when the polymer does burn.
NEVERTHELESS:NEVERTHELESS: Halogenated resins are still the Halogenated resins are still the mainstay of the industrymainstay of the industry
Halogenated systems
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
SolidSolidPolymerPolymer
VolatilesVolatiles++
CharChar
HeatHeat++
Combustion Combustion productsproducts
HeatHeat
OO22
Polymer combustion
Prevent heat Prevent heat from getting from getting to polymer?to polymer?
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Thermal insulation (OK if its refractory, Thermal insulation (OK if its refractory,
i.e. rockwool, kaowool, Structogard etc.)i.e. rockwool, kaowool, Structogard etc.)
Thick laminate effectThick laminate effect
Surface intumescents (thick or thin films)Surface intumescents (thick or thin films)
Surface engineering - intumescent veils, layersSurface engineering - intumescent veils, layers
Internal intumescents Internal intumescents
ATHATH
Preventing heat from reaching polymer
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Undamaged Undamaged
laminatelaminate
Laminate with Laminate with
decomposing decomposing
resinresin
VolatilesVolatiles
Behaviour of laminates: the thickness effect
In some circumstances the composite itself
can protect from fire
Composites in Fire 39-10 September, 2003
CCME, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
In conclusion, this brief introduction
summarises the various avenues
that are currently open to protect
composite structures from fire, and to
optimise their fire reaction properties.