Demetrius A. Kourtides, John A. Parker, C.J. Hilado

The thermochemical and flammability characteristics of some typical thermoplastic materials currently in use and others being considered for use in aircraft interiors are described. The properties studied included (1) thermomechanical properties such as glass transition and melt temperature, (2) changes in polymer enttidlpy by differential scanning calorimetry, (3) thermogravimetric analysis in anaerobic and oxidative environments, (4) oxygen index, (5) smoke evolution, (6) relative toxicity of the volatile products of pyrolysis, and (7) selected physical properties. The generic polymers that were evaluated included: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, bisphenol A polycarbonate, 9,9 bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) fluorene polycarbonatepoly (dimethylsiloxane) block polymer, phenolphthalein-bisphenol A polycarbonate, phenolphthalein poly carbonate , polyether sulfone, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyaryl sulfone, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride homopolymer, polyvinyl fluoride, and polyvinylidene fluoride. Processing parameters, including molding characteristics of some of the advanced polymers, are described. Test results and relat1ve rankings of some of the flammability, smoke, and toxicity properties are presented. Under these test conditions, some of the advanced polymers evaluated were significantly less flammable and toxic or equivalent to polymers in current use.

Richard Hill, Paul N. Boris, George R. Johnson

Aircraft cabin compartmentation was investigated as a means of increasing escape time for passengers during a postcrash cabin fire. The size and configuration of various partitions and/or curtains were investigated to determine their effectiveness in providing protection from a cabin fire by limiting the spread of heat, smoke, carbon monoxide (C0), and the depletion of oxygen from the vicinity of the fire to other areas of the cabin. The results of these tests indicated that a tightly sealed partition and/or curtain afforded the greatest protection from the spread of a given amount of heat, smoke, C0, and depletion of oxygen. The results also indicated that the use of compatmentation can adversely affect the intensity of a fire in an unclosed area, creating more products of combustion. Except for a limited number of cases, the amount of protection provided by the partition exceeded the increase in fire intensity.

Richard Hill & Paul N. Boris

The use of a Halon 1301 fire-suppression system was evaluated in regard to increasing escape time during a ground crash situation with an internal cabin fire. Tests were conducted in a DC7 fuselage varying the exit configuration, and fire size at agent discharge. Smoke, temperature, carbon monoxide, oxygen and Halon 1301 levels were continuously monitored during the tests at various locations throughout the cabin. A sampling system for collecting hydrogen fluoride (HF), Halon 1301’s primary decomposition product, was used. Samples at four locations were taken every 30 seconds, for 5 minutes after discharge. The use of a curtain to inhibit the spread of HF was also examined.

The results indicated that in order to minimize the HF concentration, the fire should be extinguished when its size is as small as possible, and prior to the opening of cabin exits. In order to reduce HF concentrations, the cabin exits should be opened as soon as the fire is extinguished. The use of a curtain to partition the cabin greatly reduced the spread of HF from the fire zone to the protected section.

Tests results also indicated that a system malfunction causing Halon 1301 concentration less than those needed to extinguish a fire could produce very high HF levels. Conversely, a deep-seated fire produced relatively small HF levels

Samuel V. Zinn, Jr.

This work was part of an overall program to evaluate modified turbine fuels for their resistance to burning when air sheared. Some recent results of these investigations are stated in Final Report No. FAA-RD-76-109. As a sequel to those findings, this report contains an evaluation of the Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) FM-9 modified fuel.

F.L. Dryer

This report provides a brief summary of experimental and theoretical work carried out at Princeton University on flame spreading across liquid fuels. The importance of surface tension driven flows ahead of the flame front in controlling flame spread across liquids at temperatures below the flash point was demonstrated experimentally. Buoyancy and radiation effects were also present but were of lesser importance. Variations in the temperature of the liquid surface are attributed to eddies in the gas phase ahead of the flame. These eddies may also playa role in flame propagation is proposed to investigate these eddies by means A two-dimensional, steady-state computer program is tool in studying flame propagation above liquid and solid fuels.