Assessing the Flammability of Composite Materials.
Assessing the Flammability of Composite Materials.
(688 K)
Ohlemiller, T. J.; Cleary, T. G.; Brown, J. E.; Shields,
J. R.
Sagamore Army Materials Research Conference, 39th.
September 16-17, 1992, Plymouth, MA, 1992.
Journal of Fire Sciences, Vol. 11, No. 4, 308-319,
July/August 1993.
Sponsor:
Naval Surface Weapons Center, Annapolis, MD
Keywords:
composite materials; flammability; ignition source;
bulkheads; heat release rate; flame spread
Abstract:
Composite materials offer the potential for substantial
weight savings in the structure of both surface ships
and submarines. However, the organic nature of the
binder resins in these materials implies that one would
be replacing non-flammable materials (aluminum, steel)
with materials that could possibly contribute to a fire.
This points to a critical need for methods which allow
reliable prediction of the extent of fire involvement
which a given material may exhibit in a particular
application. There are numerous aspects of this which
must ultimately be considered; these range from the
strength of the composite under a fire heat load to
potential toxicity and corrosivity of the fire gases.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899