MODELING OF POLYMER ABLATION INCLUDING A SUBSTRATE BASE

In this work, we model the transient pyrolysis of a slab of polymer of finite thickness subjected to irradiation in which heat is supplied u niformly to the surface of the polymer. The sample of polymer is locat ed on a substrate. The temperature of the polymer rises and it undergo es pyrolysis when the material reaches a critical temperature. A pyrol ysis front then develops as a moving boundary. We investigate the effe ct of the sample thickness on the regression rate of the moving bounda ry in the case where no char is formed. The result was presented in te rms of the pyrolysis of polyethylene on an aluminium substrate. Furthe r investigation was done on the effect of the formation of a char laye r on the regression rate of the moving boundary.