- Author
- Wilton, C. | Myronuk, D. J. | Boyes, J.
- Title
- Fire Testing of NASA Samples. Phase 3.
- Coporate
- ScientificService, Inc., Redwood City, CA
- Sponsor
- National Aeronautics and Space Admin., Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
- Report
- Phase 3, June 1981, 34 p.
- Distribution
- Available from Defense Technical Information Center LIMITED DISTRIBUTION to authorized U.S. Government agencies
- Contract
- NAS2-10659
- Keywords
- fire tests | plastics | graphite | aircraft accidents | toxicity | composite materials | fire extinguishing agents
- Abstract
- The overall purpose of this program is to investigate the various problems that might be encountered when graphitic plastics are exposed to fire. Phase 1 of the program considered the quantity and distribution (both size and shape) of graphitic particles that might be released in an aircraft accident resulting in a fire and also sought to determine the quantity of carbon fibers released during exposure of automotive type composite materials when involved in a fire. The major objectives of this phase of the program were to move and set up the various items of test equipment in the new NASA fire laboratory and to continue the investigation of the possible hazards of these graphite materials. It had originally been planned to conduct an extensive series of impact and ablation tests of aircraft grade materials, primarily to gain fiber release data during exposure of these materials in a simulated pool fire. In the early stages of the program, however, the results of research into the toxicity of the smokes and gases released from fires involving graphite plastics became available. The results of this research, although preliminary, indicated that there could be a serious problem with regard to toxicity, which could have an impact on firefighters and rescue personnel, particularly in an enclosed area such as a hangar deck.