Cone Calorimetry

       The above schematic is a cone calorimeter.  Cone calorimetry has been used as the best instrument to measure heat release rate and to measure the following properties of flame retarding materials:

1.  effective heat of combustion
2.  mass loss rate
3.  ignitability
4.  smoke and soot
5.  toxic gases

      Shown below is a heat flux plot generated from a cone calorimeter analyzing a nylon-6/clay nanocomposite.  Typically, peak heat release rates are reduced in clay nanocomposites and it is proposed that the morphology of the clay composite produces gas barrier properties unlike that of other materials.  The cone calorimetry technique covers the following:

1.  Heat release rate
2.  Mass loss
3.  Collects and quantifies soot and gases

Research taken from and for complete detail of cone calorimetry, please read the following source:
Babrauskas, V. and Grayson, S.J. editors. Heat Release in Fires, Chapter 4, Elsevier Applied Science, New York, 1992.
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