- Author
-
Bell, V. L.
- Title
- Potential Release of Fibers From Burning Carbon Composites. Technical Memorandum.
- Coporate
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
- Sponsor
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC
- Report
-
NASA TM 80214
July 1980
50 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
-
fibers
|
carbon
|
electrical hazards
|
composite materials
|
pool fires
|
fire plumes
- Identifiers
- carbon fibers; carbon composites; carbon fiber release from composites; characteristics of fire-released fibers; fire plume and chemistry studies; fiber detection and counting study
- Abstract
- A comprehensive experimental carbon fiber source program was conducted to determine the potential for the release of conductive carbon fibers from burning composites. Laboratory testing determined the relative importance of several parameters influencing the amounts of single fibers released, while large-scale aviation jet fuel pool fires provided realistic confirmation of the laboratory data. The dimensions and size distributions of fire-release carbon fibers were determined, not only for those of concern in an electrical sense, but also for those of potential interest from a health and environmental standpoint. Fire plume and chemistry studies were performed with large pool fires to provide an experimental input into an analytical modelling of simulated aircraft crash fires. A study of a high voltage spark system resulted in a promising device for the detection, counting, and sizing of electrically conductive fibers, for both active and passive modes of operation.