- Author
- Hilado, C. J. | Barnes, G. J. | Kourtides, D. A. | Parker, J. A.
- Title
- Use of the High Flux Heater in the Smoke Chamber to Measure Ignitability and Smoke Evolution of Composite Panels.
- Coporate
- San Francisco Univ., CA National Aeronautics and Space Admin., Moffett Field, CA
- Journal
- Journal of Fire and Flammability, Vol. 8, 324-331, July 1977
- Sponsor
- National Aeronautics and Space Admin., Moffett Field,CA
- Contract
- NASA-GRANT-NSG-2039
- Keywords
- smoke chambers | aircraft compartments | composite materials | flammability | heat flux | ignition | smoke detectors | test equipment | polymides
- Identifiers
- materials flammability
- Abstract
- Ten samples of composite panels were evaluated in the smoke chamber using a high flux heater to produce heat flux heater to produce heat flux levels up to 9.5 W/cm(2). This study demonstrated the potential of this apparatus as a means of evaluating ignitability as well as smoke evolution. Depending on the material and the heat flux level, ignitability results ranged from ignition within 2 sec to no ignition during the test period. Smoke density generally increased with increasing heat flux. A composite panel consisting of bismaleimide-fiberglass/bismaleimide honeycomb with carbon microballoons exhibited the lowest smoke density at high heat flux levels and the greatest resistance to autoignition.