A Review of Combustion and Flame Spread over Thermoplastic Materials: Research Advances and Prospects

Abstract

As thermoplastic materials are widely used in buildings, the fire hazards of thermoplastic materials are increasingly becoming a central issue in fire safety research due to their unique pyrolysis and melting mechanisms. In this paper, the features and common types of thermoplastic materials are introduced first. Then, the combustion behavior of thermoplastic materials is theoretically analyzed based on the empirical formulas and heat balance equations, such as the pyrolysis kinetics, ignition time, melting and dripping, flame, burning rate and mass loss rate, temperature and heat flow, gas products, and influencing factors. The influencing factors basically include the sample properties (width, incline angle, and thickness, etc.), the façade structure (sidewalls, curtain wall, etc.), the ambient conditions (altitude, pressure, and gravity, etc.), and the flame retardant treatment. Similarly, this study also illustrates the vertical and horizontal flame spread behavior of the thermoplastic materials and the influencing factors. The utilized methods include the experimental methods, the analytical methodologies, and the approaches for numerical simulation. Finally, the problems encountered at this stage and worthy of further study in the future are presented.

Fire Risk of Polyethylene (PE)-Based Foam Blocks Used as Interior Building Materials and Fire Suppression through a Simple Surface Coating: Analysis of Vulnerability, Propagation, and Flame Retardancy

“…The 45-degree flammability test (Korea Fire Assessment Tester Equipment, Ltd., Incheon, Republic of Korea), as shown in Supplementary Figure S1, was performed according to ASTM E662, which is a test method for evaluating the flame retardancy of the sample wallpapers. It is a method for measuring the degree of combustion diffusion on the sample surface and is known to be suitable for thick products [28]. The reason why it is called a 45-degree flammability tester is that the sample is put on a cradle tilted at a 45-degree angle and burned by heating liquefied petroleum gas with an automatic ignition device.…”

Performance analysis and structure characterization of polylactic acid modified with three flame retardants

“…In recent years, frequent fire accidents resulting from the combustion of polymer materials have not only caused casualties and significant property losses, but also inflicted damage on the ecological environment. 1,2 Polylactic acid (PLLA), a biodegradable polymer material with promising applications, 3–5 has sparked significant concerns regarding its combustion performance. PLLA exhibits poor thermal stability and demonstrates thermal degradation tendencies when subjected to processing temperatures exceeding 200 °C.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel DOPO-Based Flame Retardant Intermediate and Its Flame Retardancy as a Polystyrene Intrinsic Flame Retardant

“…However, polystyrene is easy to burn when heated, which will release toxic gases and a large amount of smoke, and can melt, drip, and flow in the combustion process, thus making the fire spread. Therefore, it is imperative to improve the flame retardant performance of polystyrene. − According to the flame retardant system, it mainly includes mineral flame retardant, halogen flame retardant, phosphorus flame retardant, silicone flame retardant, biobased flame retardant, and so on. − Among them, halogen flame retardants are all the rage, but they are prohibited because of their toxicity and bioaccumulation. ,,− Phosphorus flame retardants have attracted much attention because of their excellent flame retardant efficiency and environmental friendliness, and have gradually become one of the research hotspots in today’s society. ,,,− Phosphorus flame retardants mainly include ammonium polyphosphate, aluminum hypophosphite, 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide (DOPO) and its derivatives. ,,,, Phosphorus flame retardants will produce phosphoric acid or similar substances during thermal degradation, which can inhibit the combustion process of the condensed phase. In addition, PO · radicals produced by phosphorus flame retardants have a gas phase flame retardant effect. ,, …”

“…Therefore, it is imperative to improve the flame retardant performance of polystyrene. 1 − 8 According to the flame retardant system, it mainly includes mineral flame retardant, halogen flame retardant, phosphorus flame retardant, silicone flame retardant, biobased flame retardant, and so on. 8 − 27 Among them, halogen flame retardants are all the rage, but they are prohibited because of their toxicity and bioaccumulation.…”