The thermal and fire properties of polystyrene (PS) flame retarded by a system composed of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and wollastonite (W) were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, pyrolysis‐combustion flow calorimeter, pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry, cone calorimetry and epiradiator. The combustion residues were observed by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and analyzed by X‐ray diffraction. The combination of both additives enables increasing the thermal stability of PS while increasing simultaneously the high temperature residue. The peak of HRR was also significantly reduced while time to ignition varied depending on the composition. It was shown that the degradation pathway of PS was affected by the presence of the additives implying a reduction of the effective heat of combustion. In the condensed phase, APP decomposition promotes char formation and favors the reactivity between phosphorus and silicate. A layer composed of char, W and a mixture of calcium and silicon phosphate is formed at the sample surface during combustion. This layer is cohesive enough to limit the release of combustible gases to the gas phase. Moreover, the thermally stable protective layer reaches high temperature enabling the re‐irradiation of a part of the incident heat flux. The flame retardancy of PS is thus enhanced. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This study investigates the effect of the propylene gas flame on the emissions and temperature distribution of the metal plate during the preheating process. Experimental tests were carried out using a preheating system with a cylindrical chamber for emissions measurement and a metal plate placed near the torch head. Emissions were measured using a gas analyzer, while the temperature distribution of the metal plate was measured using an infrared thermal camera and thermocouples. The findings reveal that the emissions decrease as the equivalence ratio is increased as it approaches a ratio of 1. However, when the appropriate equivalence ratio is reached, NOx emissions will rise and then gradually fall. The peak temperature of propane fuel is higher than that of other fuels because of the concentrated flame. Propane fuel can achieve a peak temperature of 347.65 °C, surpassing both propylene fuel (275.45 °C) and acetylene fuel (335.45 °C). Using a propylene gas flame results in a reduction in emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides compared to a propane flame. But, acetylene fuel produces the most NOx emissions, reaching 450.79 ppm for the experimental conditions. Additionally, the temperature distribution of the preheated metal plate was more uniform with the propylene gas flame, indicating improved heat transfer. However, the peak temperature of the metal plate was slightly lower when using the propylene gas flame.