2008 Volume 20 Issue 2 Pages 82-89
The characteristics of combustibility and pyrolysis of polyurethane were compared with other polymeric materials. The usual vertical combustion tests and heat flux measurements were conducted regarding combustibility. Ignitability was also examined and the combustion speed during the vertical combustion test was measured by using a device developed by the authors. From the results of the combustion measurements, it could be seen that in the vertical combustion tests, the ignition time of polyurethane was faster than other polymeric materials but the combustion time was shorter because the flame dripped off immediately, therefore the gross calorific value was low. In the heat flux measurements, the calorific value increased because the melted sample further resolved secondarily to become a gas and contributed to the combustion. From the observation of ignition, it could be inferred that although PU was somewhat harder to ignite than PP, it can be categorized as an easily ignitable material. The weight loss temperature of PU was over 100°C lower than other polymeric materials in terms of pyrolyis, and a large amount of MDI, which is a raw material of PU, was included in its resolution products. Ether and products of ester origin were also generated.
