The Heat of Combustion and Oxygen Index of Fibrous Materials

Abstract

Heats of combustion (H_o), oxygen index (OI), and the differences between their observed and calculated values (ΔH_o) and ΔOI) of various fiberous materials were measured and calculated. Both polyester (where molten mass drips off) and acrylic homo- and copolymers (which leave considerable char in the OI test) have larger values of ΔOI and ΔH_o than those of easily combustible polymers such as polymethyl methacrylate or polypropylene. Cotton or acetates, which show residual carbonaceous materials while burning, have values of ΔOI equal to nylon-6 or polyacrylonitrile, but smaller values of ΔH_o.

Oxygen index values from various shapes of samples such as stick-form, film or fabric rolled up into cylinders, and film or fabric in 5 × 10-cm sheets were determined. Oxygen index values of nylon-6, polyester, and acrylic copolymer of 11% methylacrylate decrease rapidly as the test forms change from stick to cylinder to open-width. Such values calculated from observed H_o will be equal to the OI of the material when melting and dripping or char-producing phenomena do not occur.

Results of thermogravimetric analysis are also presented.

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