An empirical methodology was developed to evaluate research polymers for fire resistance. Additive molar group contributions to the thermal combustion properties measured by microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) were developed for 38 backbone and side-chain chemical groups by multiple linear-regression of MCC data for 84 polymers of known chemical structure. Standardized flame and fire tests were conducted on these and additional polymers and statistical analyses were performed on the results of these tests for 160 polymers using MCC thermal combustion properties as the independent variable. The probability of passing (or failing) flammability tests for plastics used in aircraft cabins, electrical equipment, electronics and automotive applications  was predicted by a probabilistic model of flame spread that uses real or virtual thermal combustion properties as the sole explanatory variable, providing the capability for molecular design of fire resistant polymers.

Developing fire resistant polymers for aircraft applications

241st National Meeting (2011)

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