Structural Behaviour of Composite Materials in Fire

Abstract

This chapter covers the key issues on the understanding of the behaviour of composite materials at elevated temperature and in fire environment. Fire is a serious safety issue in the industries that utilising composite materials such as in aerospace, marine, civil and transport as well as in the oil and gas industry. The fire reaction, as well as fire resistance properties of polymer composite materials, are discussed concisely in this chapter. The thermal response and the effects of simultaneous loading (tension and compression) in fire are also adequately explained. The residual properties of composite materials after fire, as well as a brief introduction into fire protection subject for composite structural materials, are also included in the chapter. Finally, the conclusions are summarised at the end of the chapter, and the future direction in the area of fire structural behaviour of composite materials are identified and elucidated.