A Study of the Decomposition Products of Polyurethane Foam Related to Aircraft Cabin Flash Fires.

Abstract

A laboratory model of a flash fire cell using a high voltage arc as an ignition source was assembled and tested. The cell is designed to pyrolyze the sample in air while measuring the time of onset of a flash fire and simultaneously allowing withdrawal of gas samples for analysis. Some of the low molecular weight products produced from the pyrolysis of flexible polyether type urethane foams were identified. The flash fire cell was used to compare the flash fire potential of polymers of potential interest to the aircraft industry. Studies of the role of smoke in flash fire produced in the pyrolysis of flexible urethanes were undertaken. Flash fires in the cell were recorded on 16 mm motion picture film. Of the limited number of materials tested to evaluate the mode, polyurethane and latex foams would appear to develop a flash fire most readily. (Author, modified-PL)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1973
Accession Number
AD0763327

Entities

People

  • J. J. Comeford
  • Maya Paabo

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Cabins
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Decomposition
  • Films
  • Fires
  • High Voltage
  • Materials
  • Molecular Weight
  • Motion Picture Film
  • Motion Pictures
  • Plastics
  • Polymers
  • Polyurethanes
  • Pyrolysis
  • Urethanes

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.