Author(s)

K. L. Erickson, S. M. Trujillo, K. R. Thompson, A. C. Sun, M. L. Hobbs & K. J. Dowding

Abstract

Polymer foams are used to encapsulate units requiring thermal and mechanical isolation in engineered systems. At high temperature, these foams chemically decompose. Decomposing foams generally undergo charring or liquefaction processes, while evolving low nlolecular weight species into the vapor phase. Evolved gases and vapors can cause substantial pressurization of closed containers. During thermal decomposition, the physical and chemical behaviors of the foams are coupled and can significantly affect heat transfer rates to the encapsulated units. The behavior of foams that undergo liquefaction can vary greatly depending on both physical and thermal boundary conditions as well as on decoinpositlon chemistry. A renlovable, epoxy foam was recently developed. Thi

Keywords