Table of Contents

1 The Flame Retardation of Polyolefins.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Flame Retardancy Tests.- 3. Polypropylene.- 4. Polypropylene Copolymers.- 5. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE).- 6. High-Density Polyethylene.- 7. Cross-Linked Polyethylene.- 8. Ionomers.- 9. Polybutylene.- 10. Ethylene-Propylene-Dimer Rubber.- 11. Ethylene-Propylene-Dimer (EPDM) Rubber Wire and Cable Insulation.- 12. References.- 2 Methods for Reduction of Smoke from Burning Polymers.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Smoke.- 2.1. Phenomenon.- 2.2. Smoke Measurement.- 2.3. Factors Affecting Measured Smoke Values.- 3. Smoke Inhibition Technology.- 3.1. Background.- 3.2. Smoke Inhibition in Polymers.- 4. Summary and Conclusions.- 5. References.- 3 Experimental Evaluation of Flammability Parameters of Polymeric Materials.- Abstract.- Objectives.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Experimental Procedures.- 2.1. Sample and Sample Container.- 2.2. Total Flow Rate of Mixture of Air-O2-N2 and Mass Fraction of Oxygen.- 2.3. External Heat Flux.- 2.4. Ignition.- 2.5. Mass Loss Rate.- 2.6. Total Mass Flow Rate of Mixture of Products and Air.- 2.7. Convective Heat Release Rate.- 2.8. Mass Generation Rates of Gaseous Pyrolysis-Combustion Products.- 2.9. Mass Generation Rate of the Pyrolyzate Fraction Collected on a Filter Paper.- 2.10. Optical Transmission Through the Mixture of Pyrolysis-Combustion Products and Air.- 3. Ignition.- 3.1. Concept.- 3.2. Measurements and Calculations.- 3.3. Data for Ignition Parameters.- 3.4. Conclusion.- 4. Mass Loss Rate in the Pyrolysis and Combustion of Polymers.- 4.1. Pyrolysis.- 4.2. Combustion.- 4.3. Conclusions.- 5. Mass Generation (or Depletion) Rates of Products.- 5.1. Concept.- 5.2. Measurements and Calculations.- 5.3. Data for the Distribution of Carbon in the Combustion Products.- 5.4. Conclusions.- 6. Heat Release Rate.- 6.1. Concept.- 6.2. Measurements and Calculations.- 6.3. Data for the Heat Release Rate Fractions.- 6.4. Conclusions.- 7. Optical Transmission Through the Mixture of Pyrolysis-Combustion Products and Air.- 7.1. Concept.- 7.2. Measurements and Calculations.- 7.3. Data for Modified Mass Absorbancy Index of "Pyrolyzate".- 7.4. Conclusions.- 8. Generation of Toxic Compounds.- 8.1 Concept.- 9. Fire Extinction.- 9.1 Concept.- 10. Nomenclature.- 11. List of Components for Experimental Apparatus.- 12. References.- 4 Flammability Evaluation Methods for Textiles.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Evaluation Methods for Fabrics Which Are Expected to Self-Extinguish.- 2.1. Vertical Tests.- 2.2. Horizontal Tests.- 3. Standards for Both Self-Extinguishing and Flammable Fabrics.- 4. Test Methods for Flammable Fabrics.- 4.1. Flame Spread Rate Tests.- 5. Ignition Time Tests.- 6. Heat Evolution Measurements.- 7. Extinguishability.- 8. Effect of Laundering, Soiling, and Weathering on Flammability.- 9. OI and Other Research Methods.- 10. Evaluation Methods for Specific End-Use Items.- 10.1. Blankets.- 10.2. Carpets.- 10.3. Curtains and Draperies.- 10.4. Mattresses.- 10.5. Upholstered Furniture.- 10.6. Protective Clothing.- 11. Thermal Behavior of Textile Materials.- 12. References.- 5 The Analysis of Polymers and Polymer Degradation Products by Mass Spectrometry.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Direct Analysis of Polymers.- 3. Analysis of Polymer Degradation Products.- 3.1. Thermal Degradation.- 3.2. Dielectric Breakdown.- 3.3. Mechanical Stress-Induced Degradation.- 3.4. Photolytic Degradation.- 4. Conclusion.- 5. References.