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Investigation Of Effects Of Alum And Potassium Sesquicarbonate On The Fire Characteristics Of Flexible Polyurethane Foam
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Effects of flame retardants on flame propagation rate:
Results in Table 5, Fig. 7 show that flame propagation rate decreases as the concentration of flame retardant increases. Also it can be seen that the flame propagation rate of foam samples with alum are higher than the foam samples with potassium sesquicarbonates. This could be attributed to their nature of decomposition products at pyrolysing / flaming temperature.
K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O K2SO4 + Al2O3+ 3SO3 + 24H2On
(Alum)n
K2CO3 . 2KHCO3 . 3/2H2O 2K2O + 3CO2 + 3/2H2O
Thus the reduction in flame propagation rate must be due to two principal factors; evolution of water and non combustible gases which cool the flame as well as dilute the concentration of flammable pyrolysis product. The component in potassium sesquicarbonate e.g. potassium oxide acts in the condensed phase as an excellent heat conductor, deflecting heat from the burning surface.
Effects of flame retardants on flame duration:
Results in Table 6, Fig. 8 show that as the concentration of flame retardant increases, the flame duration decreases. At 0% concentration, the foam sample gave the highest value of flame duration because of no flame retardant mixture to reduce the time of flame duration. At 0.1 - 0.5% , foam sample incorporated with potassium sesquicarbonate gave a lower result of flame duration when compared to the foam samples incorporated with alum.The reason for this was because of the components in potassium sesquicarbonate which tends to reduce the time of flame duration. These components such as water vapour, hydroxides and carbonates have more effects than sulphate and oxides in the alum.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]
ABSTRACT
The
effectiveness of alum and potassium sesquicarbonate was studied by
incorporating various concentrations of the flame retardants into the
polyurethane foam sample. The flammability tests were carried out and the
results showed that as the concentration of the flame retardants increased, the
flame propagation rate, after glow time, burn length and flame duration
decreased for both flame retardants, while ignition time, add-on and char
formation increased for both fla ... Continue reading---
LIST OF TABLES - [ Total Page(s): 1 ] LIST OF TABLES    Table 1.   :      Solubility of the compounds. Table 2.   :      Foam formulation using Alum as flame retardant. Table 3.  :      Effect of flame retardants on ignition time. Table 4.   :      Effects of flame retardants on burn length. Table 5.   :      Effects of flame retardants on flame propagation Rate. Table 6.  :      Effects of flame retardants on flame duration. Table 7.   :    ... Continue reading---
LIST OF FIGURES - [ Total Page(s): 1 ] LIST OF FIGURES Fig. 1:      The combustion process. Fig. 2:      Basic unit in a urethane block copolymer. Fig. 3:      Structure-property relationships in polyurethane. Fig. 4:      Thermogravimetric analyzer Fig. 5 :      Effects of flame retardants on Ignition time. Fig. 6 :      Effects of flame retardants on burn length Fig. 7 :      Effects of flame retardants on flame propagation rate Fig. 8:      Effects of flame ret ... Continue reading---
TABLE OF CONTENTS - [ Total Page(s): 1 ] TABLE OF CONTENTS   Title page Certification                                      Dedication                                         Acknowledgements                           Abstract                                            Table of contents            ... Continue reading---
CHAPTER ONE - [ Total Page(s): 8 ]CHAPTER ONEINTRODUCTION CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION In every day to day activity, foam materials are all around our homes, vehicles, schools and industries. It is the cushioning material of choice in almost all furniture and bedding. It is used as carpet cushions. It is the material used for pillows, roof liners, sound proofing, car and truck seats. Foam has become such a widely used material because it provides a unique combination of form and function [1]. Types of foam such as n ... Continue reading---
CHAPTER TWO - [ Total Page(s): 2 ] Thermogravimetric analysis: This determines changes in weight in relation to change in temperature. It was determined using a thermogravimetric analyzer made by Schimadzu TA – 60ws model. The furnace of the instrument was first opened to stabilize the instrument. The furnace has two pans. The foam samples were weighed and placed in one of the pan and the second pan contained Alumina which serves as the reference point used in balancing the weight of the samples. It was se ... Continue reading---
REFRENCES - [ Total Page(s): 1 ] REFERENCESM.E. Bailey (1971), Polyurethane Study in Chemical Principles, Journal Chemistry Education, pp 48, 809. T.W Solomon Graham (1980), Organic Chemistry 2nd ed. John Wiley and Sons, Toronto, pp 334 – 339. C.J. Benning (1969), Plastic Foams, The Physical and Chemistry of Product Performance and Process Technology, Vol. I, Chemistry and Physics of Foams Formation, John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp 235-247J.H Troitzch (1990), International Plastics Flammability Handboo ... Continue reading---
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]
ABSTRACT
The
effectiveness of alum and potassium sesquicarbonate was studied by
incorporating various concentrations of the flame retardants into the
polyurethane foam sample. The flammability tests were carried out and the
results showed that as the concentration of the flame retardants increased, the
flame propagation rate, after glow time, burn length and flame duration
decreased for both flame retardants, while ignition time, add-on and char
formation increased for both fla ... Continue reading---