1 + 1 ≠ 2 – Laminate Materials Meet Flame Retardancy
- Main message: Fire tests monitor the specific response of defined test specimens but are used to assess materials’ fire risks. The weakness of this simplification becomes obvious for laminate materials. The talk delivers inspiring food for thought in discussing the fire behaviour of laminates. The fire behaviour must not be expected to be a simple superposition. The design of laminate can generate fire risks as well as give birth to flame retardancy. Introduction Bench-scale fire testing monitors the reaction-to-fire response of well-defined test specimens in certain fire scenarios. Results are often discussed as kind of material properties; indeed, the fire risks of materials are assessed. The weakness of this simplifying concept becomes obvious when it comes to investigating material systems such as all kind of laminate materials. The talk delivers inspiring food for thought sketching the complex and sometimes surprising fire behaviour of laminates. Experimental The polymer analysis,Main message: Fire tests monitor the specific response of defined test specimens but are used to assess materials’ fire risks. The weakness of this simplification becomes obvious for laminate materials. The talk delivers inspiring food for thought in discussing the fire behaviour of laminates. The fire behaviour must not be expected to be a simple superposition. The design of laminate can generate fire risks as well as give birth to flame retardancy. Introduction Bench-scale fire testing monitors the reaction-to-fire response of well-defined test specimens in certain fire scenarios. Results are often discussed as kind of material properties; indeed, the fire risks of materials are assessed. The weakness of this simplifying concept becomes obvious when it comes to investigating material systems such as all kind of laminate materials. The talk delivers inspiring food for thought sketching the complex and sometimes surprising fire behaviour of laminates. Experimental The polymer analysis, thermal analysis, and investigation of fire behaviour were performed according to the state of the art, mostly in accordance with the ISO standards. We fulfil high quality standards in terms of maintenance, calibration, participation in round robins, and so on. Work steps such as compounding of the materials or injection moulding of test specimen were outsourced or done with partners that have the relevant core competence. The presentation is based on the conclusions and concrete results of projects performed in the group of the author, whose experimental is described in the corresponding scientific papers in detail.[1-3] Results and Discussion Examples show that the fire behaviour of laminates must not be expected to be a simple superposition of the fire behaviour of the individual materials. Indeed, laminate effects can be crucial and influence the flammability relevantly. The design of the laminate can generate fire risks as well as give birth to synergistic flame retardancy. Veneered wood, lacquered products, or foil laminated materials are sketched to illustrate the topic with its potential and challenges. Glued samples consisting of two plates of the same material are discussed to generate some basic understanding as well as to investigate the fire behaviour of glued materials. The impact of the glue line on the burning behaviour of different polymeric materials such as bisphenol A polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylate, and wood differs remarkably.[2] Further, the role of the glue including but not limited to using flame retarded glues is scrutinized. Making the best out of this understanding we have proposed to concentrate flame retardancy in the top layer.[1, 3] To achieve optimum flame-retardant effect or flame retardancy without disturbing the property profile of the core, flame retardants are strategically concentrated in the surface layer of thermoplastic materials with a laminate structure. Several systems increasing the charring and forming a residual protective layer are identified showing a synergistic effect compared to homogenously flame retarded test specimen. This research presented a promising solution for reducing the use of flame retardants without sacrificing fire performance or mechanical properties, offering significant advantages for industrial applications.…

