1. Testing the Flammability of materials
Science Project

2. Purpose
The Purpose of this Science Project is to test and find out which type of material is the most flammable out of five selected materials.

3. Hypothsis
My hypothesis is that wool will be the most flammable object . I believe this because it wasn’t a tightly knit material like the other samples.

4. Materials Lighter Blow torch Scissors Cardboard box Fire extinguisher
100 % Cotton material
100 % Polyester material
100 % Acrylic material
100% Wool

5. Materials continued 100% Nylon Timer Wire clothes hanger
Measuring tape
Clothespins
Duct tape
Utility knife
Jug filled with water

6. Method Acquire 5 different fabrics.
Cut fabrics into 6 X 6 inch squares (3 squares per fabric).
Convert box into a fireplace.
Insert clothes hanger into box.
Find an area away from the wind.
Have fire extinguisher close at hand.
Have all materials needed for experiment.

7. Method continued Individually, apply for 3 seconds to the material.
Observe, time and record findings.

8. Manipulated Variables
The 5 different types of fabric that I chose to burn
The 5 different types of fabric that I chose to burn
Manipulated Variables
The 5 different types of fabric that I chose to burn.

9. Responding Variable
The length of time taken for the fabric to completely burn and for the fire to be completely out.

10. Controlled Variable The size of the fabric.
The environment in which the experiment is being done.
The amount of time the torch is held to the fabric.

11. Results
It should be noted first that two of the materials that I choose would not stay lit once the flame was removed. It only would melt a hole into the sample. These materials were nylon and polyester.

12. Results

13. Analysis

18. Conclusion
The acrylic turned out to be the most flammable material out of the 5 samples. The nylon and polyester materials would not stay lit and only melted. My hypothesis was wrong, I thought that wool would burn the fastest.

19. Sources of Error Too much air flow.
Other unknown chemicals in the fabrics. (Example: laundry detergent)
Too much flame added to the fabric when being lit.

20. Ways to Improve
Having an enclosed environment where there is very little air flow.
Having all the fabric brand new from the factory so that there are no additional chemicals added. Example: laundry detergent.
Having the exact amount of flame for each material.
Having a device to hold each fabric the same way each time while its being burnt.