Plastics, fire resistance tests

The addition of phosphorous-based plasticizers will provide a degree of fire retardancy to the polyurethane. Fryol PCF and CEF have been used in polyurethane systems. Most phosphorus-based fire retardants are thin liquids that are compatible with polyurethanes. Because of the very varied nature of fire-resistant tests, the material made must be tested to the appropriate standard. 

Elame-spread and smoke-density values, and the less often reported fuel-contributed semiquantitive results of the ASTM E84 test and the limited oxygen index (LOI) laboratory test, are more often used to compare fire performance of ceUular plastics. AH building codes requite that ceUular plastics be protected by inner or outer sheathings or be housed in systems aH with a specified minimum total fire resistance. Absolute incombustibHity cannot be attained in practice and often is not requited. The system approach to protecting the more combustible materials affords adequate safety in the buildings by aHowing the occupant sufficient time to evacuate before combustion of the protected ceUular plastic. 

Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances, 1991. Tests for Fire Resistance of Vault and File Room Doors, 1990. (similar to ASTM E 152) Tests for Flame Propagation of Fabrics and Film, 1976. 

Some manufacturers of internal cooling tower components, specifically fill material and drift eliminators, have products produced from less easily ignited plastic that have been tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and determined to have sufficient fire resistance or reduced flame spread ratings that when, and only when, used in an otherwise noncombustible cooling tower, do not require fixed automatic fire protection. 

There are no ISO, ASTM or British fire test method standards specifically for solid mbbers and there is no active fire test work being pursued in TC 45. There are, however, a number of published international test methods for cellular materials and plastics, the majority of which could be applied to rubbers. A comprehensive account of fire testing of plastics has been given by Paul in the Handbook of Polymer Testing81. There may be fire resistance requirements for particular rubber products and some examples were given by Schultz110. 

In terms of fire safety, there are no fire resistance requirements and all interior surfaces must comply with the FSI of 200 in the Steiner tunnel test, ASTM E 84,114 or a radiant panel index of 200 in the radiant panel test, ASTM E 162.55 Thermal insulation materials, other than foam plastics, must meet an ASTM E 84 Class A requirement (i.e., FSI < 25 and SDI < 450) and loose-fill insulation must meet the same requirements as the building codes, which are mostly based on smoldering tests (as the materials tend to be cellulosic). Foam plastic insulation must be treated as in the building codes as well (see Table 21.13) it cannot be used exposed (expensive foam that meets the NFPA 286 test is not used in manufactured housing) and must meet an ASTM E 84 Class B requirement behind the thermal barrier. 

Polymers—Fire testing. 2. Polymers—Fires and fire prevention. 3. Fire resistant plastics. I. 

A very similar test method is prescribed by the standards ASTM E 119-82, BS 476 Part 8 1972, DIN 4102 Teil 2 1977, and many others. Fire resistance values of some plane building structures containing plastics in part are surveyed in Table 3.31. 

The general guideline for thermoplastics is that the greater the aromatic content, the greater the inherent fire resistance. Hence the fully aromatic thermoplastics (PPS, PES, PEEK, etc.) perform well on all the tests, without needing extraneous additives. Next in line are the semi-aromatic engineering plastics like PC, PBT, PET and the semi-aromatic nylons. Other nylons and polyolefins are less satisfactory. Nevertheless, nylon 6, 66 and 46... 

Blontrock, H., L. Taerwe and S. Matthys (1999). Properties of fibre reinforced plastics at elevated temperatures with regard to fire resistance of reinforced concrete members. Fourth International Symposium on Fiber Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement for Concrete Structures, Farmington Hills, MI, pp. 43-54. Blontrock, H., L. Taerwe and P. Vandevelde (2000). Fire tests on concrete beams strengthened with fibre composite laminates. Third PhD Symposium, Vienna, Austria. 10 pp. 

Plastic coating materials have been exposed to all lands of performances and environments to meet the many different requirements that exist in the many different applications. Included are corrosion and chemical resistant, fire retardant or non-flammable, strippable, heat resistant, electrical insulation, and others reviewed above (Chapter 2). What follows is information that highlight some of the properties and tests that influence the performance of coatings. 

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