Author(s)

Claus Vogel, Anett Mueller, Dieter Lehmann, Frank Taeger

Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Dresden, Germany.

A method is described, that allows a quick and simple testing of the burning behaviour of plastics. It takes into account ignition time as well as afterflame time; properties that are characteristic for the burning behaviour of a particular plastic material. The procedure is easy to perform, it does neither require injection-moulded samples nor expensive equipment. The method provides a classification of the burning behaviour. It is especially suitable for a screening of plastic materials complementing established methods like UL-94, GWFI and LOI, and may find application in the development of flame retardants.

Plastics; Burning Behaviour; Fire Protection; Flammability

C. Vogel, A. Mueller, D. Lehmann and F. Taeger, "Characterization of the Burning Behaviour of Plastics by a New Method," Open Journal of Polymer Chemistry, Vol. 2 No. 2, 2012, pp. 86-90. doi: 10.4236/ojpchem.2012.22011.