NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
A model for the pyrolysis of unfilled and filled polymers and comparisons with NBS smoke-density chamber dataThis paper considers a model for the pyrolysis of polymers for use in mass loss and smoke density predictions in a fire situation. It is based on the fundamental postulate that the overall rate-limiting reactions are in the relatively low temperature condensed phase; the rate limiting step is the polymer degradation to a vaporizable state. The state of the polymer (chain length) at the surface is specified by the vapor pressure equilibrium criterion. For the case of polymers with inert fillers, like alumina trihydrate, the further assumption is made that the linear regression rate of the material is identical to the unfilled material's at the same surface temperature. The fraction of polymer mass loss converted to smoke is inferred from the literature. The smoke density in the NBS-smoke density chamber is predicted for a polyester and the same polyester with two different loads of alumina trihydrate filler. Diffusional effects in the smoke spreading are considered in an elementary manner. The comparisons with experimental data are encouraging. The overall fire characteristics are predicted using only the fundamental physicochemical property values of ingredients.
Document ID
19760064175
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kumar, R. N.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1976
Subject Category
Chemistry And Materials (General)
Report/Patent Number
WSS/CI PAPER 76-21
Accession Number
76A47141
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available