- Author
- Fohlen, G. M. | Parker, J. A. | Riccitiello, S. R. | Sawko, P. M.
- Title
- Intumescence: An In Situ Approach to Thermal Protection.
- Coporate
- National Aeronautics and Space Admin., Houston, TX
- Report
- NASA CR TM X-14330,
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Book or Conf
- National Aerospace and Space Administration. NASA Conference on Materials for Improved Fire Safety. May 6-7, 1970., Houston, TX, 12/1-6 p., 1970
- Keywords
- intumescence | polymers | thermal protection | Apollo spacecraft
- Identifiers
- extinguishing agents
- Abstract
- As a result of the disastrous fires aboard the Apollo spacecraft and on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Forrestal in 1967, a study of protecting heat- and fire-sensitive materials in general was initiated. One immediate goal was the development of a means of thermal protection for stored bombs to prevent detonation when the bombs ar subjected to the heat of burning fuels. It was desired to coat the bombs with a material that would swell, upon heating, to form a thermally resistant insulating layer. This process of swelling with heat is called "intumescence".