Flame retardant performance of various UL94 classified materials exposed to external ignition sources

The flammability of eight halogen‐free styrene resins and one halogen‐containing styrene resin was characterized by UL 94 VB, LOI and cone calorimeter tests. Their burning behaviour was also measured when exposed to three external ignition sources (methenamine tablet, candle, paper ball). Five resins were used for 19″ monitor housings and the others for 25″ TV. The LOI values of UL 94 V‐2, V‐1 and V‐0 rated resins were higher than that of HB. The heat release rate decreased as the UL 94 ratings increased from HB to V‐0. When these resins were exposed to three external ignition sources, UL 94 V‐1 and V‐0 rated resins showed a self‐extinguishing property after removal of the fire and did not cause fire growth in either 19″ monitor or the 25″ TV housings in all cases. However, UL 94 V‐2 and HB rated resins were easily ignited and spread fire by dripping burning trickles. The burning rate of V‐2 resin was slower than that of HB. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.