- Author
- Brown, J. R. | Dunn, P.
- Title
- Combustion of Organic Polymeric Materials: Evaluation of Flammability by the Oxygen Index Method.
- Coporate
- Defence Standards Laboratories, Maribyrnong, Australia
- Report
- Report 561, June 1973, 24 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- combustion | evaluation | flammability | oxygen index | tests | plastics | paints | adhesives | elastomers | textiles | timber | laminates | rubber | cables | insulating materials
- Identifiers
- panelling materials; cable insulating and sheathing materials; cordage
- Abstract
- The oxygen index method has been used to evaluate the relative flammabilities of a number of organic polymeric materials of interest to Navy, including panelling materials, fire-retarded timbers, adhesives, fiberglass laminates, cellular polymers, cable insulating materials, textiles, cordage and surface coatings. The method provides a measure of the minimum volume fraction of oxygen in a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen which is capable of sustaining candle-like combustion of a material. This value, termed the oxygen index, constitutes a convenient, reproducible numerical rating of the flammabilities of materials of interest.