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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L54769/01
Title: MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF THERMAL DEGRADATION AND IGNITION OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS WITH FILLERS
Principal Investigator: Staggs, Dr JEJ
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Raychem Ltd
Department: Fuel and Energy
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 April 1998 Ends: 31 March 2001 Value (£): 48,993
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The project is aimed at modelling the effect of solid-phase additives on ignition resistance and degradation of polymeric materials in small-scale fires. Experimental data will be obtained from Cone Calorimeter tests at Raychem and possibly also from the compartment-fire test rig in Leeds. The approach will be truly multidisciplinary, involving analytical and combustion chemistry, materials expertise, mathematical modelling, careful experimentation and numerical analysis. We shall initially view the filler/polymer mixture as a homogeneous material and consider heat transfer in only one spatial dimension. The amount of filler present in the mixture will be characterised by one or more mass fraction scalars. We hope to be able to provide answers to the following questions: What is the quantitative effect of the decomposition kinetics of the filler on the fire performance of the material?What role do the thermal properties of the filler play?What is the quantitative effect of the heat of vaporisation of the filler on fire performance?How can reactive fillers help performance?
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Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk