- Author
- Ohlemiller, T. J. | Butler, K. M.
- Title
- Influence of Polymer Melt Behavior on Flammability.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- NISTIR 6588, November 2000,
- Book or Conf
- U.S./Japan Government Cooperative Program on Natural Resources (UJNR). Fire Research and Safety. 15th Joint Panel Meeting. Volume 1. Proceedings. March 1-7, 2000, San Antonio, TX, Bryner, S. L., Editors, 81-88 p., 2000
- Keywords
- fire safety | fire research | flammability | melting | polypropylene | experiments
- Abstract
- As the initial step in a study of the role of polymer melt viscosity in polymer burning behavior, a simpler, non-burning configuration has been examined. Vertical slabs of two types of polypropylene have been subjected to uniform radiative heating on one face. The subsequent melt flow process was monitored by measuring weights, temperatures and flow velocities. A low MW polypropylene flowed freely at temperatures below those for significant degradation whereas a commercial polypropylene of higher MW degraded and gasified extensively. Plans are described for modeling the non-reactive case first.