Char formation and characterization

The aromatic structure of polyimides, in particular, ensures that they are thermally resistant, and hence, characterized by high char formation on pyrolysis, low flammability (LOI > 30 vol%), and low smoke production. 

Within the area of natural fibers, wool has the highest inherent nonflammability. It exhibits a relatively high LOI of about 25 vol % and low flame temperature of about 680°C.25 The inherent FR activity of the fiber can be associated with char-forming reactions which may be enhanced by a number of flame retardants. Based on their fundamental work to enhance char formation, Horrocks and Davies offer intumescent formulations based on MP to flame-retarded wool.61 From TGA and SEM characterization, they proposed a comprehensive model on the mechanism of protection via an intumescent process, which involves the formation of cross-linked char by P-N and P-0 bonds resistant to oxidation. More recently, they used spirocyclic pentaerythritol phosphoryl chloride (SPDPC) phosphorylated wool to achieve intumescent wool which exhibits large char expansion and good flame retardancy.62... 

Furfuryl alcohol is prepared by hydrogenation of furfural and is a monomer for furan resins. Industrial furan resins are corrosion-resistant, non-burning and are characterized by low smoke emission and excellent char formation. Furan... 

Allylchlorosilanes reacted with naphthalene to give isomeric mixtures of poly-alkylated products. However, it was difficult to distill and purify the products for characterization from the reaction mixture due to the high boiling points of the products and the presence of many isomeric compounds. The alkylation of anthracene with allylchlorosilanes failed due to deactivation by complex formation w ith anthracene and the self-polymerization of anthracene to solid char. 

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