A Study of Smoldering Conditions in Upholstery Fabrics Using Thermal Imaging

Abstract

Thin, porous textile fabrics that are predominantly cellulosic in content are partic ularly prone to smoldering when exposed to a low energy, localized heat source such as a cigarette fire cone. A thermal imaging technique for measuring transient temper ature fields is used to study smoldering ignition in upholstery fabrics with a simulated cigarette source. A method is described for measuring dynamic surface temperature gradients. Empirical data are presented in terms of peak surface temperature and en closed area within specific isotherms. When the representative temperature in the smol dering zone is greater than 450°C, the smoldering spread is maintained. Cotton duck fabrics do not show the reported reduction in smoldering propensity with decreasing areal density and washing of alkali metal ions. In contrast, the results for upholstery fabrics do allude to a mitigation of smoldering propensity with a significant lowering of surface temperature and isothermal area measurements.