- Author
- Ohlemiller, T. J. | Cleary, T. G. | Shields, J. R.
- Title
- Effect of Ignition Conditions on Upward Flame Spread on a Composite Material in a Corner Configuration.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Journal
- Fire Safety Journal, Vol. 31, No. 4, 331-344, November 1998
- Sponsor
- Naval Surface Warfare Center, Annapolis, MD
- Book or Conf
- Materials and Process Challenges: Aging Systems, Affordability, Alternative Applications. SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition, 41st International Proceedings. Volume 41. Book 1. Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE). March 24-28, 1996, Anaheim, CA, Schmitt, G.; Bauer, J.; Magnurany, C. J.; Hurley, C.; Kliger, H., Editors, 734-747 p., ['1998', '1996']
- Keywords
- composite materials | ignition | flame spread | fire growth | ignition source | flame spread rate | heat release rate | structures | construction materials | intumescent coatings
- Identifiers
- incident heat flux patterns; upward flame spread behavior; full factorial group; extended burner power range; effect of intumescent coating; summary of corner test results for vinyl ester/glass composites
- Abstract
- This paper focuses on the issue of fire growth on composite materials beyond the region immediately subjected to an ignition source. Suppression of this is one of the key issues in realizing the safe usage of composite structural materials. A vinyl ester glass composite was tested in the form of a 90 deg corner configuration with an inert ceiling segment 2.44 m above the top of the fire source. The igniter was a propane burner, either 23 or 38 cm in width with power output varied from 30 to 150 kW. Upward flame spread rate and heat release rate were measured mainly for a brominated vinyl ester resin but limited results were also obtained for a non flame retarded vinyl ester and a similar composite coated with an intumescent paint. Rapid fire growth beyond the igniter region was seen for the largest igniter power case; the intumescent coating successfully prevented fire growth for this case.