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Author
Paabo, M. | Comeford, J. J.
Title
Study of the Decomposition Products of Polyurethane Foam Related to Aircraft Cabin Flash Fires. Final Report. March 1971-June 1972.
Coporate
National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
Sponsor
Department of Transportation, Washington, DC
Report
FAA-RD-73-46
July 1973
39 p.
Contract
FA67NF-AP-21
Keywords
aircraft compartments | combustion products | flash fires | flashover | gas chromatography | pyrolysis
Abstract
A laboratory model of a flash fire cell using a high voltage arc as an ignition source was assembled and tested. The cell is designed to pyrolyze the sample in air while measuring the time of onset of a flash fire and simultaneously allowing withdrawal of gas samples for analysis. Some of the low molecular weight products produced from the pyrolysis of flexible polyether type urethane foams were identified. The flash fire cell was used to compare the flash fire potential of polymers of potential interest to the aircraft industry. Studies of the role of smoke in flash fire prodeced in the pyrolysis of flexible urethanes were undertaken. Flash fires in the cell were recorded on 16 mm motion picture film.