The Potential for Damage from the Accidental Release of Conductive Carbon Fibers from Aircraft Composites.
Abstract
Carbon and graphite fibers are known to be electrically conductive. That property has resulted in damage to electrical equipment from the inadvertent release of virgin fibers into the atmosphere. The rapidly accelerating use of carbon fibers as the reinforcement in filamentary composite materials brought up the possibility of accidental release of carbon fibers from the burning of crashed commercial airliners with carbon composite parts. Such release could conceivably cause widespread damage to electrical and electronic equipment. This paper presents the experimental and analytical results of a comprehensive investigation by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the various elements necessary to assess the extent of such potential damage in terms of annual expected costs and maximum losses at low probabilities of occurrence. A review of a NASA materials research program to provide alternate or modified composite materials to over- come any electrical hazards from the use of carbon composites in aircraft structures is described. (AN)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA306023
Entities
People
- Vernon L. Bell
Organizations
- Langley Research Center