“Characterisation of smoke in expanded polystyrene combustion”Polymer Degradation and Stability, , 74 (3): 507-512 2001 Modest 2000 Edition

The smoke formed in the cone calorimeter during the combustion of expanded polystyrene with and without fire retardant has been analysed. Gaseous products were condensed from the smoke and identified by GC–MS. The liquid components adsorbed on solid particles of the smoke were examined by microscopy-FTIR. The solid charred particles were characterised by SEM and X-ray microanalysis. It has been shown that pyrolysis dominates over thermal oxidation during combustion. The charred particles are essentially composed of carbon rich structures with negligible oxidation having occurred. The fire retardant somewhat modifies the characteristics of the combustion of expanded polystyrene and the composition of the smoke.