Modelling the vertical UL 94 test: competition and collaboration between melt dripping, gasification and combustion

Published in Fire and Materials Vol. 39 (6), pp. 570-584, 2015
doi: 10.1002/fam.2257

Abstract

An experimental and numerical investigation of the effect of bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate) (BDP) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) on the fire behaviour of bisphenol A polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) in the vertical UL 94 scenario is presented. Four PC/ABS blends were discussed, which satisfy different UL 94 classifi cations d ue to the competing ef fects of gasifica ti on, charring, flame inhibition and melt flow/dripping. For numerical investigation, the particle finite element method (PFEM) is used. Its capability to model the complex fire behaviour of polymers in the UL 94 is analysed. The materials’ properties are characterised, in particular the additives impact on the dripping behaviour during thermal exposure. BDP is an efficie nt p lasticiser; adding PTFE p reve nts dripping by causing a flo w limit. P FEM simulation s reproduce the dripping and burning behaviour, in particular the competition between gasification and dripping. The thermal impact of both the burner and the flame is approximated taking into account flame inhibition, charring and effective heat of combustion. PFEM is a promising numerical tool for the investigation of the fire behaviour of polymers, particularly when large deformations are involved. Not only the principal phenomena but also the different UL 94 classi fi cations and t he exti nc tion times are well predicted.