FROM THE INTRODUCTION
"Considerable effort has gone into the study of various aspects of flammability and of various plastic materials, so that these materials which are proving so useful to man will always be used in ways which will not compromise his safety. The task is a continuing one, because the family of plastics continues to grow, and, along with it, its variety of applications. Some of these future applications cannot even be conceived of at the present time. The needs of man and his society are changing, and with them the factors that affect his safety, comfort, and convenience.
A flammability handbook for plastics must necessarily involve a variety of sciences and technologies spread across the whole spectrum of human knowledge, and it is impossible to discuss all the subjects in great depth. Any details extracted for attention are brought because they are believed to be significant to the overall effort to make plastics as useful and safe as humanly possible."
Introduction
A Plastics Alphabet
An Organization Alphabet
Materials for the Plastics Industry
Physical Classification Commercial Classification Functional Classification Chemical Classification Olefin Polymers Vinyl Polymers Engineering Thermoplastics Other Thermoplastics Thermosetting Polymers Blends and Alloys Thermoplastic Elastomers Conductive Plastics
Decomposition, Combustion, and Propagation
The Burning Process on a Micro Scale The Burning Process on a Macro Scale The Burning Process on a Mass Scale Combustion and People
Fire Response Characteristics
Types of Fire Response Characteristics Smolder Susceptibility Ignitability Flash-Fire Propensity Flame Spread Heat Release Fire Endurance Ease of Extinguishment Smoke Evolution Toxic Gas Evolution Corrosive Gas Evolution
Flammability Tests
Types of Flammability Tests Tests for Smolder Susceptibility Tests for Ignitability Tests for Flash-Fire Propensity Tests for Flame Spread Tests for Heat Release Tests for Fire Endurance Tests for Ease of Extinguishment Tests for Smoke Evolution Tests for Toxic Gas Evolution Tests for Corrosive Gas Evolution Multicapability Test Methods
Design of the Material
Design of the Material Flame Retardance Mechanisms Flame Retarding Various Polymers Smoke Retardance Mechanisms Smoke Retarding Various Polymers Smolder Retardance Mechanisms Reducing Toxic Gas Evolution Reducing Corrosive Gas Evolution Design of the Application Fire Control and Extinguishment
Market Acceptance Criteria
Markets for the Plastics Industry Types of Acceptance Criteria The Building Market The Transportation Market The Packaging Market The Electrical and Electronics Market The Consumer Goods Market The Industrial Goods Market The International Market
Flammability and Product Liability
History of Product Liability Litigation Fire Losses and Litigation Major Fire Litigation Vulnerability of Plastics to Fire Litigation
Flammability and Environmental Concerns
Chlorofluorocarbons and Flammability Recycling of Plastics Depolymerization of Plastics Incineration of Plastics
Commercial Fire, Smoke, and Smolder Retardants
Biography
Carlos J. Hilado
The Flammability Handbook for Plastics is a unique resource . . . While there are other books on flammability, none are as concise or as "data rich" as this one . . . This is the first place to look!
- Gordon Nelson, Dean, College of Science and Liberal Arts, Florida Institute of Technology
