Effect of Oxygen Flow Rate and Dripping on the Linear Regression Rate of Polystyrene

Kishore, K and Mohandas, K (1983) Effect of Oxygen Flow Rate and Dripping on the Linear Regression Rate of Polystyrene. In: Fire and Materials, 7 (1). pp. 38-40.

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Abstract

The flame propagation during the burning of a polymer depends considerably on the flow rate of the oxidizer. The burning rate increases as the flow of the oxidizer around the sample becomes faster. At very high flow rates of the oxidizer, the change in the burning rate tends to be smaller than that of low flow rates. This continues until the stage when the flow rate is so high that the flame becomes unstable and is carried away by the passing stream. In the present study we have investigated the effects of oxygen flow rate and dripping of the melt on the burning of polystyrene. Some authors have suggested that dripping from the burning surface by chemically degrading the polymer could be considered as a method to render the polymer fire-retardant. We find that the burning and simultaneous dripping of polystyrene produces larger rates of material loss from the burning surface as compared with the original value when there is no dripping. Though excessive dripping of the melt could probably extinguish the flame, adopting this as a method for imparting fire-retardancy appears to be rather hazardous.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Fire and Materials
Publisher:	Wiley Heyden Ltd.
Additional Information:	The copyright belongs to Wiley Heyden Ltd.
Department/Centre:	Division of Chemical Sciences > Inorganic & Physical Chemistry
Date Deposited:	10 Apr 2008
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:20
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/3932

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