The gaseous products generated by flaming combustion of Kynol and Nomex fibers under the same conditions (temperature 300-700°C, natural air) were quantitatively analyzed by infrared spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and a colorimetric tube method. The four techniques were chosen to examine the wide range of volatile and condensable products expected due to their different capabilities and sensitivities.

The main gases generated were carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and benzene.

The mass spectrometer was used to identify the condensed vapors. These were mainly phenol, methyl phenol and dimethyl phenol from the Kynol fiber and benzene, aniline, diamino­benzene, benzoic acid, benzonitrile, dicyanobenzene, diphenyl­amine and cyanophenylbenzene from Nomex. Ammonia and hydrogen cyanide were detected in small amounts from Kynol but in large amounts from Nomex. There was no indication of the presence of nitrogen monoxide or nitrogen dioxide in the combustion products of either fiber.