Thermal Analysis of PVC wire Insulation Residues in Fire Investigation

The characteristics of the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulation layer in the overload and fire condition were investigated using thermal analysis. The results show that the onset of the endothermic peak in the inner layer was higher than that of the outer, and the first mass change of inner layer for insulation layer with light burning was lower than that of the outer, However, for the heavy burning, it was just opposite. The characteristics of fire insulation layer residues were contrary to over-load sample. As a result, Applying thermal analysis technology to identify the reasons for burning insulation were practicable, as complementary technique for judgments of fire cause.