The thermal degradation behavior of P. halepensis needles treated with two ammonium-polyphosphate-based commercial retardants was studied using thermal analysis (DTG) under nitrogen atmosphere. Moreover, for the same experimental material, the heat of combustion of the volatiles was estimated based on the difference between the heat of combustion of the fuel and the heat contribution of the charred residue left after pyrolysis. The heat of combustion of the volatiles was exponentially related to the retardant concentration of the samples. In the range of retardant concentrations from 10 to 20% w/w the mean reduction percentage of the heat of combustion of the volatiles, with respect to untreated samples, was 18%.

Peer Reviewed