Selfextinguishing

Selfextinguishing refers to a property of certain materials that causes them to stop burning on their own once the ignition source is removed. This is a critical safety feature in many applications, particularly those involving potential fire hazards. Materials that are selfextinguishing typically do not sustain combustion without an external flame or heat source.

This property is often achieved through the intrinsic chemical composition of the material. Additives can also be incorporated to impart selfextinguishing characteristics. These additives might work by releasing flame-retardant gases that dilute the oxygen in the surrounding air, or by forming a char layer on the surface of the material which insulates it from the heat and prevents further fuel from reaching the flame.

Selfextinguishing materials are widely used in construction, electronics, textiles, and transportation. For example, many plastics used in electrical casings are designed to be selfextinguishing to prevent the spread of fire in case of a short circuit. Similarly, fire-resistant fabrics for clothing and upholstery often possess this property to provide an increased margin of safety. The ability of a material to selfextinguish is a key factor in fire safety regulations and standards.