Thermal degradation of wood fiber insulation bords - chemical analysis and the effect of flame retardants

The objective of this investigation is to characterize and mitigate the thermal degradation of wood fiber insulation boards and to analyze the released products. The effectiveness of different flame retardants has also been investigated. Treated and untreated insulation specimens were manufactured at Fraunhofer WKI and the thermal degradation process was characterized via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with spectroscopic techniques. The released products during the smoldering process were analyzed via ATR-IR spectroscopy and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. The decomposition process showed two distinct steps between 153 °C and 493 °C. The main released chemical products included carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water. It was determined that many products are generated during the smoldering process, being the levoglucosane the main product. The decomposition temperature increased significantly by using treated fibres. The main product in case of flame retardant treated panels is also carbon dioxide