TY - JOUR A1 - Günther, Martin A1 - Lorenzetti, A. A1 - Schartel, Bernhard T1 - From Cells to Residues: Flame-Retarded Rigid Polyurethane Foams JF - Combustion Science and Technology N2 - Rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) exhibit short times to ignition as well as rapid flame spread and are therefore considered to be hazardous materials. This paper focuses on the fire phenomena of RPUFs, which were investigated through a multimethodological approach. Water-blown polyurethane (PUR) foams without flame retardants (FRs) as well as waterblown PUR foams containing triethyl phosphate as a gas phase-active FR were examined. The aim of this study is to clarify the influence of the FR on the fire phenomena during combustion of the foams. Additionally, materials’ densitieswere varied to range from 30 to 100 kg/m3. Thermophysical properties were studied bymeans of thermogravimetry; fire behavior and flammability were investigated via cone calorimeter and limiting Oxygen index, respectively. During the cone calorimeter test, the temperature development inside the burning specimens was monitored with thermocouples, and cross sections of quenched specimens were examined visually, giving insight into the morphological changes during combustion. The present paper delivers a comprehensive study, illuminating phenomena occurring during foam combustion and the influence of a FR active in the gas phase. The superior fire performance of flameretarded PUR foams was found to be based on flame inhibition, and on increased char yield leading to a more effective protective layer. It was proven that in-depth absorption of radiation is a significant factor for estimation of time to ignition. Cross sections investigated with the electron scanning microscope exhibited a pyrolysis front with an intact foam structure underneath. The measurement of temperature development inside burning specimens implied a shift of burning behavior towards that of non-cellular materials with rising foam density. KW - Polyurethane KW - Rigid foams KW - Fire behavior PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/00102202.2019.1634060 SN - 0010-2202 SN - 1563-521X VL - 192 IS - 12 SP - 2209 EP - 2237 PB - Taylor & Francis AN - OPUS4-51483 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -