A PMMA flammability analysis using the MCC: Effect of specimen mass

A serial of tests were carried out to evaluate the effect of specimen mass on the test results for PMMA conducted in a micro-scale combustion calorimeter. Seven heating rates were used to test specimens of mass ranging from 0.5 to 6.0 mg with nominal interval of 0.5 mg. Eighty-five specimens were tested. Heat release rate, onset temperature, temperature at maximum heat release rate, total heat release, and heat release capacity were determined. The influence of specimen mass at each heating rate was analyzed. Specimen mass influences the maximum heat release rate, onset temperature, and temperature at maximum heat release rate significantly. The higher the heating rate, the greater the influence. Reliable results could be obtained as long as the specimen mass is more than 1 mg with oxygen concentration above 5 %; thus, the oxygen concentration limit might be extended from 10 to 5 %.