Smoke Toxicity Measurements of Automotive Materials

Abstract

A recent research program conducted for the Motor Vehicle Fire Research Institute examined the yields of gases generated during the combustion of automotive materials. Eighteen materials taken from the exterior of a passenger van and a sports coupe were exposed to radiant heat fluxes of 20, 35, and 50 kW/m 2 using a Cone Calorimeter. Gas samples taken from the exhaust duct were analyzed using an FTIR spectrometer to quantify the yields of CO, CO 2 , HCl, HCN, and NO x . Three materials, representing low, intermediate, and high peak CO concentrations in the Cone Calorimeter testing, were further evaluated using two commonly used smoke chamber test methods: ASTM Ε 662 and ISO 5659-2. Yield data are presented for each of the materials tested, along with a discussion of the test methods and the relationships between the results generated by the various methods.

Cone calorimeter testing of S2 glass reinforced polymer composites

“…Now polymer composites are being asked to provide burn-through performance and structural integrity when exposed to fire/heat, and to provide fire protection/resistance in extreme scenarios of fuel pool fires or large explosion/heat release events. For these types of scenarios where polymeric composites would be considered to be a part of the vehicle, flammability performance has been only briefly studied [1][2][3], but not as the main structure (hull/chassis) of the vehicle. Therefore, if we consider the likely end-use for the product and what it will most likely provide fire protection against, we can focus on an application that provides fire protection for passengers to escape a burning vehicle, or slow fire growth enough that the fire can rapidly be put out.…”