Composites of polyethylene matrices and fillers consisting of finely ground pistachio shells and sunflower husks were manufactured. These materials were subjected to a series of tests for the purpose of examining their processing qualities, physical, mechanical and thermal characteristics, flammability and resistance to environmental factors, determining their feasibility and application paths. The relationship between the natural fiber composites' morphology and stability was described. Based on the obtained test results, the influence of the lignin content and secondary components in the fillers' structure on the thermal stability of the composites was confirmed. It was also proven that the porosity of the composites and the hemicellulose content in the filler influenced the composites' capacity to take up considerable amounts of water.

The paper presents an analysis of the minimum ignition temperature of dust layer and the minimum ignition temperatures of dust clouds. Tests have been performed for selected dusts: hop, lemon balm, nettle, senna fruit, valerian, buckwheat, barley, semolina, cornflakes, oatmeal, rice flakes, flour, malt, beech, dried carrot, corn starch and sunflower husk. Tests have been performed in accordance with EN 50281-2-1. Method A consists in determining the minimum temperature at which ignition occurs of dust and/or its decomposition on a hot plate at a constant temperature. The study is used to identify the threats from industrial equipment and construction, which while working have hot surfaces, on which can create a layer of combustible dust. Method B is used for determining the minimum ignition temperature of a dust cloud or other particulate solids. Method B is complementary to the method A. It is used in relation to industrial equipment, inside which dust may exist in the form of short-term cloud

The time taken to evacuate space inside a building (required time for evacuation) must be shorter than the time for the environment in that space to become life threatening (available safe egress time ‐ ASET). That time is the time, when certain tenability limits of smoke filling, toxicity and thermal influence of the building environment are exceeded. As a consequence of lost visibility in smoke, people loose their orientation, and consequently evacuation is slowed down or becomes impossible. In such conditions inhaling of an excessive volume of toxins may lead to loss of consciousness or death. In the paper are discussed the influences of visibility through a smoke layer (or smoke obscuration) and concentration of toxic products of combustion on ASET, in well ventilated fires. Apart from the visibility range, also CO and CO2 concentrations have been chosen for the analysis. The given simple formulas show the dependency of rate of combustion and yields of smoke and toxic species on visibility reduction rate and increasing of concentration of toxic products evolved during combustion of selected materials. Epoxy materials were used for the analysis: pure Epoxy material 561 and epoxy with the following admixtures: MoO3, Roflam P and Melamine, as well as 2 types of polyurethane form. Santrauka Laikas, reikalingas žmonėms evakuotis iš pastato (evakuacijos laikas), turi būti trumpesnis už laiką, per kurį konkreti pastato erdvė tampa pavojinga gyvybei (leistinas saugios evakuacijos laikas – angl. ASET). Šis laikas apibrėžia priimtinų dūmų plitimo, toksiškumo ir šiluminio poveikio pastato erdvei ribų viršijimą. Dėl dūmų žmonės praranda orientaciją, todėl evakuacija užsitęsia arba tampa neįmanoma. Dėl tokiomis aplinkos sąlygomis įkvepiamo didelio toksinų kiekio galima prarasti sąmonę ar net mirti. Straipsnyje apžvelgiama matomumo per dūmų sluoksnį ir toksiškų produktų koncentracijos įtaka evakuacijos laikui (ASET), kai degančioje patalpoje gaisro metu užtikrinama gera oro ventiliacija. Greta matomumo buvo tiriama CO ir CO2 koncentracijos įtaka evakuacijos laikui. Pateiktos formulės rodo degimo intensyvumo ir dūmų bei toksiškų priedų išsiskyrimo įtaką matomumo mažėjimui ir toksinių produktų koncentracijos didėjimui įvertinant konkrečios medžiagos degimą. Tyrimams naudotos šios medžiagos: epoksidinė medžiaga 561 be priemaišų, epoksidinė medžiaga su MoO3 , Roflam P ir Melamine priedais, dvi poliuretano detalės.