FIRE DEGRADATION OF AN INTUMESCENT FLAME-RETARDANT POLYPROPYLENE USING THE CONE CALORIMETER

This work studies the fire degradation of an intumescent formulation P olypropylene (PP)-Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP)/Pentaerythritol (PER) u sing the cone calorimeter. An intumescence model is described which in troduces the notion of degradation front. From the weight loss data re corded by the cone calorimeter and the results of the invariant kineti c parameters method (given in appendix) applied to the PP and to the P P-APP/PER system, the respective temperatures of the degradation front s are measured. A stability zone is shown where the protection is effe ctive. The intumescent coating degrades then by forming a carbonaceous residue which reduces the heat flux evolved.