Ignition mechanisms in polymers and polymer nanocomposites

Alberto Fina (1) , Giovanni Camino (1)

1 Polito - Politecnico di Torino = Polytechnic of Turin

This paper addresses the behaviour of thermoplastic polymers and polymer nanocomposites prior to ignition, under irradiation in a cone calorimeter. Insights into the physical evolution of material controlling ignition are obtained from the measurement of the condensed phase surface temperature and by the observation of specimen residues obtained from interrupted tests. Significant differences are evidenced between evolution of montmorillonite nanocomposites and reference polymers, in terms of both reduced ignition time and reduced thickness of material contributing to fuel production at ignition, whereas limited differences in the temperature of the surface layer at ignition were measured. An explanation for the reduction of ignition time by the presence of nanoclays, based on nanoparticle-catalysed oxidation, is proposed and discussed.

Mots clés: Physical Sciences

Alberto Fina, Giovanni Camino. Ignition mechanisms in polymers and polymer nanocomposites. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 2011, 22 (7), pp.1147. ⟨10.1002/pat.1971⟩. ⟨hal-00637458⟩