- Author
- Nyden, M. R.
- Title
- Molecular Modeling of Polymer Flammability: Applications to the Design of Flame Resistant Polyethylene. BFRL Video Seminar.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- Video, August 27, 1991,
- Keywords
- flammability | polyethylenes | thermal degradation | ionizing radiation
- Abstract
- Molecular dynamic simulations of the thermal degradation of polyethylene were used to identify factors which might be effective in reducing polymer flammability by promoting the formation of a residual char. Computer movies of the calculated trajectories indicate that crosslinked polymers, such as are obtained from exposure of polyethylene to ionizing radiation, would undergo further crosslinking, eventually forming a high molecular weight, thermally stable char. This prediction was confirmed in flammability tests of X-ray irradiated polyethylene.