Which term describes a material that does not combust?

The term that describes a material that does not combust is "noncombustible." Noncombustible materials are those that cannot ignite or burn under normal conditions. They do not support combustion and are often used in construction and safety applications to help prevent the spread of fire.

Materials characterized as noncombustible can include certain metals, concrete, and stone, which do not contribute to fuel in a fire scenario. This property makes them invaluable in building fire safety standards, where the goal is to minimize the risk of fire spreading and to protect structures and occupants within them.

In contrast, flammable materials are those that can easily ignite and catch fire, while combustible materials can catch fire under specific conditions, albeit less easily than flammable materials. The term "resistant," while related, typically refers to how well a material withstands something (like fire or corrosion) rather than specifically its ability to combust. Thus, "noncombustible" is the most accurate descriptor for materials that do not ignite or burn.