Plastics flammability

The study of how plastics burn has been, and continues to be, a major area of research at universities, in industry, and at various national, military, and private laboratories. This research examines the nature of the burning phenomenon in plastics, various methods to reduce plastics flammability, and methods to test flammability. This paper reports on some of the basic principles of the burning process in plastics and suggests methods whereby the flammability of plastics might be reduced. The most common methods for testing plastics flammability are also examined, including the application of those methods and use in various standards which might require particular flammability performance.