The oxygen index method in fire retardance studies of polymeric materials

Abstract

Abstract The oxygen index test is a fundamental tool in basic research on polymer combustion and on mechanisms of fire retardance. Although the oxygen index should provide an evaluation of intrinsic flammability of polymeric materials, its response may depend on geometry of the specimen. This is shown by comparing the behavior of polypropylene fire retarded with different additive systems. The implication of such in mechanistic studies is discussed. Furthermore, new measurements are proposed to be carried out with the oxygen index apparatus, which give parameters related to ease of ignition, behavior on forced burning, and thermal insulating characteristics of char developed on burning the material.