- Author
- Hergenrother, P. M. | Thompson, C. M. | Smith, J. G., Jr. | Connello, J. W. | Hinkley, J. A. | Lyon, R. E. | Moulton, R.
- Title
- Flammability of Epoxy Resins Containing Phosphorus.
- Coporate
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA Federal Aviation Administration, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ National Institute of Aerospace, Hampton, VA Applied Poleramic Inc., Benicia, CA
- Sponsor
- Department of Transportation, Washington, DC
- Report
- DOT/FAA/AR-TN05/44, Novmeber 2005, 32 p.
- Keywords
- resins | flammability | phosphorus | fire retardants | flammability tests | mechanical properties | moisture | flame resistance | fire behavior | combustibility
- Identifiers
- synthesis; cured neat resin plaque preparation; model compound study of chemical reactivity; neat resin mechanical properties; chemical characterization
- Abstract
- The use of composite structures in both commercial and general aviation aircraft has been increasing primarily because of the advantages composites offer over metal (e.g., lower weight, better fatigue performance, no corrosion, better design flexibility, etc.). The new Airbus A380 is expected to have about 22% of the structural weight in composites. About 50% of the structural weight of the new Boeing 787 is proposed to be composites, including for the first time a composite fuselage and wings in a large commercial airliner. Currently, no fire resistance requirements exist for exterior polymer composite structures on airplanes. However, the aircraft manufacturer will be required to demonstrate that polymer structural composites provide equivalent safety to the current material system (aluminum alloy). The primary hazards during aircraft fires are heat, smoke, and toxic gas. In a severe aircraft fire, life-threatening levels of these hazards are produced by cabin flashover, the time to which is largely governed by the rate of heat release of the materials in the fire. Other concerns in a carbon fiber composite fire include the potential release of electrically conductive small carbon fibers that can cause damage to electrical equipment and health problems (from inhalation). However, a study reported in 1980 concluded that it was unlikely severe damage to electrical equipment would result from an accidental release of carbon fibers from an aircraft fire. Reference 3 discusses the concern about potential health hazards from the exposure to airborne carbon fibers released from a burning airplane containing carbon fiber composite parts. In reference 3, it was concluded, at the present time, that there is no evidence linking airborne carbon fibers to any unusual health hazard.