Fire Tests for Composites

The test methods most often used to measure the fire reaction and fire resistive properties of composites are outlined in this chapter. The majority of tests and standards described in this chapter are not specific to a certain class of material; although we seek here to examine them from the viewpoint of engineers interested in the use of composites. Determination of the fire reaction properties is important because of their strong influence on the early stages in the growth of fire. The reaction properties of composites that can affect the start-up and growth of fire include the time-to-ignition, oxygen index, peak and average heat release rates, and surface spread of flame. There are other reaction properties that may not influence the growth of fire but are critical to human survival, most notably smoke density and smoke toxicity. The test methods commonly used to measure these fire reaction properties are described.