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Author
Fox, D. G.
Title
Investigation of Titanium Combustion Characteristics and Suppression Techniques. Final Report. January 1, 1974-March1, 1975.
Coporate
Air Force Aero Propulsion Lab., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Report
AFAPL-TR-75-73, February 1976, 66 p.
Distribution
Available from National Technical Information Service
Keywords
titanium | combustion | argon | fire extinguishing agents | air flow | burning rate | fire detectors | ultraviolet detectors | combustion chambers | ultraviolet radiation | test facilities | gas turbine engines
Identifiers
compressor blades; flat plate models; emission spectra
Abstract
This test program studies the burning characteristics of titanium under air flow conditions. The flat plate titanium samples are ignited by molten titanium from an electrically heated ignitor. Air flow conditions that support sustained combustion of a single sample are determined. The burn rate is measured on all tests with steady state burning. Argon gas is shown to be a feasible extinguishing agent for a titanium fire. Quick injection of a sufficient amount of argon gas to maintain a 60% concentraion by volume of argon results in quick suppression by oxygen depletion. Carbon dioxide (CO2), a common fire extinguishing agent, is shown to sustain titanium burning at an accelerated rate. The ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by burning titanium is shown to sustain titanium emitted by burning titanium is shown to be a sufficient intensity for existing UV fire detectors to detect at reasonable distances.