- Author
- Sorathia, U. | Lyon, R. E. | Gann, R. G. | Gritzo, L.
- Title
- Materials and Fire Threat.
- Coporate
- Naval Surface Warfare Center, Annapolis, MD Federal Aviation Administration, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM
- Journal
- SAMPE Journal, Vol. 32, No. 3, 8-15, May/June 1996 <b>AND</b> Fire Technology, Vol. 33, No. 3, 260-275, September/October 1997,
- Keywords
- composite materials | load bearing elements | structures | fire growth | habitability | fire extinguishment | fire safety | flammability | fire barriers | centrifugal pumps
- Identifiers
- residual strength; structural integrity; thermal/fire barriers (fire hardening); Interagency Working Group on Fire and Materials - Advanced Materials Processing; Interagency Working Group on Fire and Materials - Fire and Thermal Property Testing; Interagency Working Group on Fire and Materials - Data Base for Materials' Fire and Thermal Properties; Interagency Working Group on Fire and Materials - Fire and Thermal Response Modeling; Interagency Working Group on Fire and Materials - Health and Environmental Response
- Abstract
- Polymer research is producing new materials with exceptional properties, and products made with these materials may well replace many conventional products. Fiber-reinforced polymer composites offer the U.S. Military the potential for significant reductions in weight and signatures. Current seaborne applications of composite materials in the U.S. Navy include sonar bow domes and windows, and coastal minehunter MHC-51 hulls. The U.S. Navy is also evaluating composite materials for both primary and secondary load-bearing structures such as foundations, deckhouses, and hulls; machinery components such as composite piping, valves, centrifugal pumps, and heat exchangers; and auxiliary or support items such as gratings, stanchions, ventilation ducts, and screens. This new interest in composite materials is due to increased need for a corrosion-free, lightweight, and affordable low-cost alternative to metallic components. The U.S. Army is evaluating composite combat vehicles and the U.S. Air Force has taken the lead in transitioning composite technology to military advantage as evidenced by superior performance of the Stealth Fighter.