Experimental Study on the Fire Properties of Nitrocellulose with Different Structures.

Area of Science:

• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Fire Safety Engineering

Background:

• Nitrocellulose (NC) is an inflammable and explosive chemical substance requiring careful handling.
• Understanding the fire properties of NC based on its exterior structure is essential for safety protocols.
• Existing research may not fully address the impact of NC's physical structure on its fire behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the fire properties of two distinct nitrocellulose structures: soft fiber and white chip.
• To determine how exterior structure influences key fire characteristics like ignition time and mass loss.
• To evaluate the consistency of heat release rate intensity (HRRI) calculations using different calorimetric methods.

Main Methods:

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for analyzing exterior structures.
• ISO 5660 cone calorimeter for fire property testing.
• Oxygen Consumption (OC) calorimetry and Thermal Chemistry (TC) methods for HRRI calculation.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in ignition time, mass loss rate, and ash content were observed between soft fiber and chip NC.
• Chip NC exhibited a lower fire hazard compared to soft fiber NC.
• Heat release rate intensity (HRRI) for chip NC was found to be primarily dependent on sample mass.
• HRRI results from OC calorimetry and TC methods showed good agreement for both NC structures.

Conclusions:

• The exterior structure of nitrocellulose significantly influences its fire properties and associated hazards.
• Chip-structured NC presents a reduced fire risk, making it preferable for applications requiring enhanced safety.
• Both oxygen consumption calorimetry and thermal chemistry methods provide reliable HRRI calculations for nitrocellulose, ensuring consistent safety assessments.