Citation

Hernangil A, Rodriguez M, Leon LM, Ballestero J, Alonso JR. J. Fire Sci. 1999; 17(4): 281-306.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Fire formation and development can be defined as a specific number of combustion reactions which take place in situ depending on several factors. It is important to notice two different processes: first, material reaction to fire and second, emission of fumes from the material subjected to overheating where optical density and toxicity are factors of concern. An improvement in fire behavior can be achieved by means of fire retardants and smoke suppressants. Fire retardants can act chemically by interfering with combustion radical chain reactions or physically by several methods, including developing a layer which protects the material from ignition on the surface of the substrate, giving off nonflammable gases (water vapor, hydrochloric acid, etc.) in order to dilute flammable ones or displace the oxygen from the fire area in the gas phase and enhancing certain reactions (halides, phosphoric acid, etc.) such as endothermic reactions and surface dehydrations. On the other hand, smoke suppressants such as zinc compounds can also act physically and chemically (by formation of metal halides or oxyhalides in red-ox reactions) in the condensed and gas phases. This paper focuses on the study of composites made of low viscosity polyester resins reinforced with glass fibers. These materials were processed by means of hand lay-up at room temperature. The main objective has been an exhaustive analysis of the possible effects in fire and mechanical properties due to the addition of different additives and fillers and their interactions. This study has been carried out by means of an experimental design with statistical analysis of the results. The scope is focused on a further optimization of this sort of material in order to obtain a wide range of suitable formulations depending on the performance established.