Investigation Of Effects Of Two Flame Retardants On The Fire Characterisit Ics Of Flexible Poly Ether Foam

4.5    Flame duration
The results shown in Table 10, Fig. 7 clearly indicate that these flame retardant suppressed flame duration a lot as much as seven – fold at their highest conc entration. When a part of combustible material is gradually heated, its temperature is increased; the molecules / atoms making it vibrate more. As temperature continues to rise molecular motions increases further to a point when bonds are ruptured and pyrolysates some of which interact with oxygen in the environment in exothermic reaction [80,81]. At this stage, flame, a region of visible gaseous reaction is produced. Thus, the duration or the extent of flame is directly linked to the sustenance of the stream of pyrolysis products. It is therefore expect that any technique that depresses the egress of the pyrolysates would decrease flame duration [82].
This is the reason why the presence of these two flame retardants decrease flame duration. Comparatively , it is clear that the melamine is a better flame duration suppressant.

4.6    CONCLUSION
The following conclusion can be made from the results of the study.
The two flame retardants, melamine and tri ammonium orthophosphate, were successfully incorporated in the production of flexible polyurethane foams under the production conditions of a commercial foam industry. Hence, it is clear that the two flame retardants are suitable for producing commercial foams that are affordable and maintains the quality.
The two flame retardants are effective in reducing the after - glow time (AGT), flame duration time and propagation rate properties. The reduction of these fire char5acterisitcis is paramount to reduction of flammability of the p olyurethane foam which leads to safety of lives and properties.
Dramatic increase in ignition time and charring percentage shown by tri ammonium orthophosphate is evidence that its incorporation    into    polyurethane    will    delay    burning    on occasions of fire, thereby increases time for safety of life and properties.
However, melamine showed better impact for after -glow time and flame duration time, while tri ammonium orthophosphate is preferred for reduction of ignition time and propagation rate due to increase in high percentage charring.
4.7    RECOMMENDATION
1.    The two flame retardants are recommended for use for retarding commercial polyurethane foams, that will reduce the incident of fire and destruction of life and properties.
2.    Tri ammonium ortho phosphate is preferred for retarding flexible polyurethane foams to melamine.
3.    The commercial foam industrie s that are not incorporating any flame retardants to their products, because of cost, can now start to make use of these two flame retardants because of its availabil ity and low cost.