Ignition of cellulosic materials by radiation

Abstract

The ignition of cellulosic materials by radiation has been examined. Ignition occurs first in the gas phase; flame is shown to appear well away from the surface. Of the factors affecting ignition, external draughts and the supply of volatiles are likely to determine whether ignition can occur and the thermal properties, the time at which it will occur; the size of the area irradiated may affect both. The ignition time has been correlated satisfactorily with the thermal properties over a large range of intensities by assuming that ignition occurs when the temperature of the solid reaches a certain fixed value.