Flammability Characteristics of Fiber Reinforced Composite Materials
Abstract
Fiber reinforced composite (FRC) materials are used extensively because of their physicochemical properties and high strength-to-weight ratio. The use of composites in U.S. Army vehicles, to decrease weight and enhance survivability, has been considered for some time. This report describes the results of a study undertaken by the Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) on FRC materials for possible composite combat vehicle applications on behalf on the U.S. Army Materials Technology Laboratory. The objective of the study was to assess the flammability characteristics of FRC materials using small-scale experiments. In the study, five FRC samples (about 3 to 45 mm in thickness) were examined. Results from the study showed that FRC materials have high resistance to ignition, a high heat of gasification and a low Fire Propagation Index (FPI), indicating that self-sustained fire propagation is expected to be difficult for these materials (fire are not expected to propagate beyond the ignition zone). Thus, these results suggest that FRC materials would not present as severe a fire hazard as ordinary combustibles; i.e., cellulosics and most plastics. Keywords: Polymers, Fire resistance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA228215
Entities
People
- A. Tewarson