Construction and Verification of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Pyrolysis–Combustion Coupling Model Based on Multi-Source Experimental Data

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) has been widely used in various fields due to its significant advantages. However, research on their pyrolysis and combustion behavior under fire conditions, which directly affects structural integrity and safety, remains insufficient. To challenge this issue, thermogravimetric analysis was employed to investigate the pyrolysis characteristics of the CFRP in both air and nitrogen atmospheres at heating rates of 20–40 °C/min with relevant pyrolysis kinetic parameters calculated using the Kissinger method. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer was utilized to analyze pyrolytic gas species and concentrations at 40 °C/min in nitrogen atmosphere. Cone calorimeter tests at 50 kW/m2 were conducted to obtain combustion characteristic parameters. Based on atomic conservation and oxygen-consumption principles, the equivalent molecular formula (CH5.787O0.541) of the epoxy resin pyrolysis gas and its combustion reaction equation were derived through reverse deduction. The heating, pyrolysis, and combustion processes of the CFRP (cone calorimetry specimen) were numerically simulated using Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). The predicted heat release rate, mass loss rate, and gas production rate showed good agreement with experimental results.