Citation

Northolt MG, Sikkema DJ, Zegers HC, Klop EA. Fire Mater. 2002; 26(4-5): 169-172.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The development of the new high-modulus and high-strength fibre M5, made of poly-2,6-diimidazo[4,5-b:4',5'-e]pyridinylene-1,4(2,5-dihydroxy)phenylene or PIPD, has resulted in an organic polymer fibre with exceptional fire protection properties when compared with PBO, Twaron, Kevlar and Nomex fibres. The PlPD as-spun fibre with a modulus of 150 GPa and a tensile strength of 2.5 GPa is a crystal hydrate containing 21 wt% water. Cone calorimeter measurements yielded a fire performance index (FPI) 20 times higher than Nomex, with extremely low value for the specific extinction area (SEA) characterizing the smoke formation. The PIPD-HT fibre (recrystallized in an after treatment into the anhydrous crystalline structure) with a modulus greater than 300 GPa and a strength greater than 5 GPa has a FPI value similar to PBO but shows much less smoke formation than this fibre.