Preface 1 Introduction: 1.1 Background 1.2 Fire reaction and fire resistive properties of composites 1.3 Composites and fire 1.4 Case studies of composites in fire 1.5 Concluding remarks References 2Thermal Decomposition of Composites in Fire: 2.1 Introduction2.2. Thermal decomposition mechanisms of organic polymers 2/3 Rate processes and characterisation of decomposition 2.4 Polymers and their decomposition processes 2.5 Fire damage to composites 2.6 Concluding remarks References 3 Fire Reaction Properties of Composites: 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Time-to-ignition 3.3 Heat release rate 3.4 Extinction flammability index & thermal stability index 3.5 Mass loss 3.6 Smoke 3.7 Smoke toxicity 3.8 Limiting oxygen index 3.9 Surface spread of flame 3.10 Fire resistance References 4. Fire Modelling of Composites: 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Thermal exposure 4.3 Modelling material fire dynamics 4.4 Structural modelling of fire response References 5 Modelling the Thermal Response of Composites in Fire: 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Response of composites to fire 5.3 Modelling heat conduction in composites 5.4 Modelling the fire response of composites 5.5 Modelling the thermal properties of composites 5.6 Concluding remarks References 6. Structural Properties of Composites in Fire: 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Laminate properties 6.3 Measurement of elastic constants 6.4 Mechanical properties as a function of temperature 6.5 Modelling of properties 6.6 Fire resistance of laminates under load 6.7 Modelling of fire resistance of laminates under load 6.8 Concluding remarks References 7. Post-Fire Properties of Composites: 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Post-fire properties of laminates 7.3 Modelling the post-fire properties of laminates 7.4 Post-fire properties of sandwich composites 7.5 Post-fire properties of fire protected composites 7.6 Concluding remarks References 8 Flame Retardant Composites: 8.1 Introduction 8.2 The combustion cycle 8.3 Flame retardants for composites 8.4 Flame retardant fillers for composite 8.5 Flame retardant organic polymers for composites 8.6 Flame retardant inorganic polymers for composites 8.7 Flame retardant fibres for composites 8.8 Fire protective surface coatings References 9 Fire Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites: 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Characterization of nanocomposite formation 9.3 Evaluation of fire retardancy 9.4 Clay modifications 9.5 Examples of fire retardancy of polymer nanocomposites 9.6 Mechanisms of fire retardancy in nanocomposites 9.7 Future trends in fire retardancy of nanocomposites References 10 Fire Safety Regulations: 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Fire safety regulations for rail 10.3 Fire safety regulations for automobiles, buses and trucks 10.4 Fire safety regulations for civil infrastructure 10.5 Fire safety regulations for civilian aircraft 10.6 Fire safety regulations for ships and submarines References 11 Fire Tests for Composites: 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Scale of fire reaction tests 11.3 Cone calorimeter 11.4 Atmosphere controlled cone calorimeter 11.5 Intermediate-scale cone calorimeter 11.6 Ohio State University calorimeter 11.7 Limiting oxygen index test 11.8 Flame spread tests 11.9 Smoke density tests 11.10 Furnace tests 11.11 Burn-through & jet-fire tests 11.12 Single burning item test 11.13 Room fire tests 11.14 Structural integrity in fire tests 11.15 Aircraft fire tests 11.16 Concluding remarks References 12 Health Hazards of Composites in Fire: 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Smoke toxicity test methods 12.3 Health hazards of combustion gases 12.4 N-gas model for smoke toxic potency 12.5 Health hazards of fibres 12.6 Personal protective wear against burning composite materials 12.7 Concluding remarks References Subject Index

Fire Properties of Polymer Composite Materials

Science and technology of polymeric ablative materials for thermal protection systems and propulsion devices: A review

This paper presents a critical review of research progress in modelling the structural response of polymer matrix composites exposed to fire. Models for analysing the thermal, chemical, physical, and failure processes that control the structural responses of laminates and sandwich composite materials in fire are reviewed. Models for calculating the residual structural properties of composites following fire are also described. Progress towards validation of the models by experimental characterisation of the structural properties of composites during and following fire is assessed. Deficiencies in the fire structural models are identified in the paper, which provide the focus for future research in the field.

R.M. Sullivan

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