Study of the combustion of a fire retardant coating by thermal analysis and different complementary techniques

An intumescent fire retardant coating can effectively control fire spread and damage. Its dual purpose is to confine the surface spread of flame to the boundaries of an already established fire, and to retard the penetration of heat and flame to and through the coated surface. Our composition expanded and provided an insulation layer between the flame source and the combustion substrate, and liberated a quantity of primarily non-flammable decomposition products which tended to extinguish the flame. The main ingredients of the coating were cellulose acetate butyrate and HMDI (Desmodur N) for Polyurethane, and Chlorowax-70 (chlorinated paraffins) as fire retardant component. This fire retardant coating was applied to wood panels, and tested in a 2-foot tunnel, its flame spread rating being measured. The effects of three parameters of interest were investigated: the type of wood used, the percentage of Chlorowax, and the coating thickness. It was found of interest to study the oxidation of the coating using different techniques, e.g. flash pyrolysis under oxygen and GC/MS for analysis of the decomposed products. Combustion studies of the coating were also conducted using DSC and thermogravimetry, either with the scanning mode or under isothermal conditions. Comparisons were made between the results obtained from pyrolysis and combustion.

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Zusammenfassung Ein schwellender feuerhemmender Überzug kann Ausbreitung und Schäden von Feuer wirksam einschränken und wird zwei Zwecken gerecht: Verhinderung der Ausbreitung von ausgebrochenem Feuer und Schutz der überzogenen Oberfläche vor Hitze- und direkter Flammeneinwirkung. Die beschriebene Komposition quillt und bildet eine Isolationsschicht zwischen der Flammenquelle und dem brennbaren Material, liefert zugleich aber auch eine gewisse Menge von nichtbrennbaren, die Flamme erstickenden primären Zersetzungsprodukten. Die Hauptbestandteile des Überzugs sind Celluloseacetat und -butyrat und HMDI (Desmodur N) für Polyurethan sowie Chlorowax-70 (chlorierte Paraffine) als feuerhemmende Komponente. Dieser feuerhemmende Überzug wurde auf Holzplatten aufgebracht und in einem 2ft-Tunnel getestet, wobei die Flammenausbreitungsgeschwindigkeit gemessen wurde. Der Einfluß von drei interessierenden Parametern wurde untersucht: Typ des benutzten Holzes, Anteil von Chlorowax und Überzugsschichtdicke. Es erwies sich als interessant, die Oxydation des Überzugmaterials mit verschiedenen Techniken zu untersuchen, z.B. durch Schnellpyrolyse und Analyse der Zersetzungsprodukte mittels GC/MS. Verbrennungsuntersuchungen des Überzugmaterials wurden auch mittels DSC und Thermogravimetrie entweder nach der scanning-Arbeitsweise oder unter isothermen Bedingungen ausgeführt. Die bei Pyrolyse und Verbrennung erhaltenen Ergebnisse werden miteinander verglichen.

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Kinetic analysis of the thermal degradation of an epoxy-based intumescent coating

The aim of this work is to analyse and to simulate the kinetics of pyrolysis of an intumescent formulation designed to protect steel in the case of hydrocarbon and jet fires. The coating is based on a thermoset epoxy-amine resin system into which two fire retardant agents, boric acid and ammonium polyphosphate derivative have been incorporated. Industrial tests (jet fire tests) are usually used to evaluate the degradation mode of an intumescent coating. But these tests are quite expensive, and as the heating rates are extremely high (between 500 and 800 °C/min), it is not possible to evaluate the thermal degradation behaviour of the intumescent coating directly by thermogravimetric analyses. That is why it is necessary to develop predictive models of kinetics of degradation of these intumescent coatings. In this work, the coating has been pyrolyzed at different heating rates and a predictive model of its kinetics of degradation has been developed.     

Formation of complexes of crown ethers in the absence of solvent observed by differential thermal analysis

Differential thermal analysis was employed as a new method to observe the formation of complexes of dibenzo-18-crown-6 polyether and macrocyclic nitro derivatives with potassium iodide. DTA thermograms of polyethers, of solid complexes, and mixtures of polyether and potassium iodide were obtained in an atmosphere of dry nitrogen.     

Differences between predicted and observed sequences in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We recently studied the protein composition of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeast strain (K310) of enological interest. About 2,500 spots of 8-250 kDa observed molecular mass were resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Experimental molecular masses and isoelectric points were calculated for most of them. Twenty-seven proteins were subjected to Edman microsequencing. N-terminal sequences of 12/27 proteins were determined, whereas internal sequences of 6/27 proteins were obtained following in situ proteolysis. Comparison between the experimental data and those reported in the SWISS-PROT database revealed some differences between genotypic and phenotypic sequences. These are indicative of the changes a protein can undergo with respect to the primary structure coded by the genomic DNA. Our results highlight the need to complement genomic analysis with detailed proteomics in order to refine the vast amount of information provided by DNA sequencing and to find an exact correlation between genome and proteome.     

Kinetic parameters of different asphalt binders by thermal analysis

Each year, 100 millions tons of asphalt are manufactured worldwide and 88% of them are designated to act as binder in mineral aggregate producing asphalt mixtures in the paving industry. The present study investigates the kinetics parameters of thermal degradation through thermal analysis behavior of three different asphalt binders’ samples: an asphalt cement C and two asphalt binders modified by polymers: copolymer styrene–butadiene–styrene S and polyphosphoric acid L. By Thermokinetics software a model-free kinetic analysis could be made using two models: Friedman and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall. Kinetic parameters following both models, through Thermogravimetric curves, showed that for the first step, the binder L presented the highest activation energy followed by binder S. Between all simulations, the FnF1 model was the one which best correspond to the experimental data for all samples.     

A comparative study of the degradation of different starches using thermal analysis

Four starches obtained from different sources were treated to thermal analysis and their mechanisms of degradation were deciphered using a rising temperature method of evaluation. A comparison of the solid state reactivity between the four starches was made, using a method known as the alpha(s)-alpha(r) method. By this method, it was possible to differentiate between four starches of completely different plant origin. Potato starch and rice starch were found to have the highest reactivity.     

Ultrafine grain formation and coating mechanism arising from a blast coating process: A transmission electron microscopy analysis

This article examines the substrate/coating interface of a coating deposited onto mild steel and stainless steel substrates using an ambient temperature blast coating technique known as CoBlast. The process uses a coincident stream of an abrasive blast medium and coating medium particles to modify the substrate surface. The hypothesis for the high bond strength is that the abrasive medium roughens the surface while simultaneously disrupting the passivating oxide layer of the substrate, thereby exposing the reactive metal that then reacts with the coating medium. The aim of this study is to provide greater insight into the coating/substrate bonding mechanism by analysing the interface between a hydroxyapatite coating on both mild and stainless steel substrates. The coating adhesion was measured via a tensile test, and bond strengths of approximately 45 MPa were measured. The substrate/coating interface was examined using transmission electron microscopy and selected area diffraction. The analysis of the substrate/coating interface revealed the presence of ultrafine grains in both the coating and substrate at interface associated with deformation at the interface caused by particle impaction during deposition. The chemical reactivity resulting from the creation of these ultrafine grains is proposed to explain the high adhesive strength of CoBlast coatings.     

Cation ordering in aluminophosphates and aluminosilicates: a combinatorial and geometrical analysis of the avoidance rule

The concepts of independent quotient and maximally independent sets in a periodic net, associated with the analysis of the Löwenstein rule in aluminosilicates, are revised. Topological graph theory is applied to validate the calculation technique of the independent quotient, based on the use of labelled quotient graphs. Some examples are considered among aluminophosphates and aluminosilicates. It is shown that chemical composition and geometry as well as topology are important factors determining cation ordering in these compounds.     

Relation of observed initial temperature of thermal transformation to sensitivity of thermal analyzer

The relations of the initial temperature of thermal transformation to the sensitivity of thermal analyzer and to kinetic parameters of the studied transformation taking place under non-isothermal conditions are analyzed.     

An analysis of the thermal aging behaviour in high-performance energetic composites through the glass transition temperature

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to analyze the thermal aging behaviour in energetic composite materials where a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)/isophorone diisocyanate elastomer is the polymeric matrix. Different parameters from the analysis of the glass transition, such as the glass transition temperature (T_g), were used in order to monitor this isothermal aging at 65 °C during a total time of 3000 h, finding an increasing and broadening T_g. In addition, the accelerated aging behaviour of these materials was also studied by a classical method, based on the change of mechanical properties such as those of Young's modulus or strain at break. The correlation between both methodologies was examined, demonstrating that an analytical technique such as DSC allows the evaluation of the actual state of composite solid propellants with a small sample and a straightforward measurement.     

Detection of four different OH-groups in ground kaolinite with controlled-rate thermal analysis

The thermal behaviour of mechanochemically treated kaolinite has been investigated under dynamic and controlled rate thermal analysis (CRTA) conditions. Ten hours of grinding of kaolinite results in the loss of the d(001) spacing and the replacement of some 60% of the kaolinite hydroxyls with water. Kaolinite normally dehydroxylates in a single mass loss stage between 400 and 600°C. CRTA technology enables the dehydroxylation of the ground mineral to be observed in four overlapping stages at 385, 404, 420 and 433°C under quasi-isobaric condition in a self-generated atmosphere. It is proposed that mechanochemical treatment of the kaolinite causes the localization of the protons when the long range ordering is lost.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Quantum control mechanism analysis through field based Hamiltonian encoding

Optimal control of quantum dynamics in the laboratory is proving to be increasingly successful. The control fields can be complex, and the mechanisms by which they operate have often remained obscure. Hamiltonian encoding (HE) has been proposed as a method for understanding mechanisms in quantum dynamics. In this context mechanism is defined in terms of the dominant quantum pathways leading to the final state of the controlled system. HE operates by encoding a special modulation into the Hamiltonian and decoding its signature in the dynamics to determine the dominant pathway amplitudes. Earlier work encoded the modulation directly into the Hamiltonian operators. This present work introduces the alternative scheme of field based HE, where the modulation is encoded into the control field and not directly into the Hamiltonian operators. This distinct form of modulation yields a new perspective on mechanism and is computationally faster than the earlier approach. Field based encoding is also an important step towards a laboratory based algorithm for HE as it is the only form of encoding that may be experimentally executed. HE is also extended to cover systems with noise and uncertainty and finally, a hierarchical algorithm is introduced to reveal mechanism in a stepwise fashion of ever increasing detail as desired. This new hierarchical algorithm is an improvement over earlier approaches to HE where the entire mechanism was determined in one stroke. The improvement comes from the use of less complex modulation schemes, which leads to fewer evaluations of Schrodinger's equation. A number of simulations are presented on simple systems to illustrate the new field based encoding technique for mechanism assessment.     

Application of different thermal analysis techniques for the evaluation of petroleum source rocks

In the paper, various laboratory pyrolytic methods were used to evaluate selected petroleum source rocks. The methods used are: Rock–Eval pyrolysis, Py–GC pyrolytic technique and TG/DTG/DSC. The experiments of the last method were performed according to three different procedures. Each of them provided different, specific data. The selected rock sample material was diversified in terms of stratigraphical position, structural unit and place of collection (outcrop or borehole). Based on the Rock–Eval analysis results, kerogen in samples can be classified as type II. Additional information on the quality of pyrolysis products was obtained from the Py–GC analysis. Thanks to the combination of the all three implemented pyrolytic techniques, the quality of the generation potential of the source rocks can be evaluated in details. In some samples, the oxidation and pyrolysis of organic matter occur in two stages, what is the evidence of the complex nature of the organic substance. The maximum of pyrolysis reaction is detected by TG/DTG measurement in the range of temperature from 450 to 580 °C, depending on the maturity of organic matter. The maturity level increases with the rock stratigraphic position. The proportions of loss in mass observed in respective stages of pyrolysis in course of TG/DTG experiment are in correspondence with the observations of the released fractions in the Py–GC analysis. The Carpathian Menilite shales could be classified as source rocks with high oil generation potential. Also, the Lower Silurian and Ordovician shales are characterized by high oil-producing potential with a lower content of mineral matter. Cambrian rocks show a different character and gas-prone generation potential.

     

Equilibrium study between condensed phases by isoplethic thermal analysis when a miscibility gap is observed

Isoplethic thermal analysis was used to determine the solid-liquid-liquid equilibria in the ternary system water-sodium sulfate-piperidine. The changes in state observed on the thermogram recorded during the displacement in a quasi-binary section permit the identification of the different phases and the delimitation of the corresponding equilibrium domains. Two isotherms were established at 25°C and 40°C because these temperatures frame the peritectic decomposition of the sodium sulfate decahydrate. Miscibility gaps were completely delimited and each critical point was calculated. This study permitted to determine the optimal conditions for separating the organic phase by liquid-liquid extraction.     

Possibility of thermal analysis of different types of bonding of water in minerals

Various types of water bonding were studied. e.g. water bound by occlusion, by adsorption, by capillary condensation, by chemisorption and as a solid solution, zeolitic water, interlayer water, crystal water and structural water bound in form of hydroxil groups. The differentiation of these various types of bonding is rather difficult, for on heating water is evolved at various temperatures and in rather wide temperature domains which overlap to different extents. Efforts were made to improve the detection by applying the quasi-isothermal quasi-isobaric measuring technique.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden verschiedene Bindungstypen von Wasser untersucht. Wasser kann unter anderem durch Einschlüsse, Adsorption. Kapillarkondensation, Chemisorption und in Form von Mischkristallen, zeolitisch, schichteingebettetem und Kristallwasser sowie als OH-Form gebunden sein. Die Untersuchung dieser zahlreichen Bindungstypen ist äußerst schwierig, da die Wasserabgabe bei verschiedenen Temperaturen geschieht und die ziemlich breiten Temperaturintervalle mehr oder weniger überlappen. Mittels quasiisothermen und quasiisobaren Meßtechniken wurde versucht, die Möglichkeit der Bestimmung zu verbessern.

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Synthesis of structurally diverse diarylketones through the diarylmethyl sp CH oxidation

Under open-flask conditions, an efficient method to assemble a series of diversely functionalized diarylketones in the presence of commercially available NBS has been developed. Yields of up to 99% have been achieved employing diarylmethanes as starting material. Based on ¹⁸O-labeled experiment, the addition of stoichiometric water eventually leads to excellent yields in all carbonylation cases.