Demetrius A. Kourtides

New Fireworthy Composites for Use in Transportation Vehicles

This paper presents an overview of certain aspects of the evaluation of the fire- worthiness of air transport interiors. It examines some technical opportunities that are available today through the modification of aircraft interior subsystem components, modifications that may reasonably be expected to provide im provements in aircraft fire safety.

Thermal and flammability characterization of graphite composites

Flammability, thermal, and selected mechanical properties of composites fabricated with epoxy and other thermally stable resin matrices are described. Properties which were measured included limiting-oxygen index, smoke evolu tion, thermal degradation products, total-heat release, heat-release rates, mass loss, flame spread, ignition resistance, thermogravimetric analysis and selected mechanical properties. This paper describes the properties of eight dif ferent graphite composite panels fabricated using four different resin matrices and two types of graphite reinforcement. The resin matrices included: XU71775/H795, a blend of vinylpolystyrylpyridine and bismaleimide; H795, a bismaleimide; Cycom 6162, a phenolic; and PSP 6022M, a polystyrylpyridine. The graphite fiber used was AS-4 in the form of either tape or fabric. The prop erties of these composites were compared with epoxy composites. It was deter mined that the blend of vinylpolystyrylpyridine and bismaleimide (XU71775/ H795) with the graphite tape was the optimum design giving the lowest heat release rate.

High temperature properties of ceramic fibers and insulations for thermal protection of atmospheric entry and hypersonic cruise vehicles

Multilayer insulations which will operate in the 500°C to 1000°C tempera ture range are being considered for possible applications on aerospace vehicles subject to convective and radiative heating during atmospheric entry. The in sulations described in this paper consist of ceramic fabrics, insulations, and metal foils quilted together using ceramic thread. As these types of insulations have highly anisotropic properties, the total heat transfer characteristics of these insulations must be determined. Data are presented on the thermal dif fusivity and thermal conductivity of four types of multilayer insulations and are compared to the baseline Advanced Flexible Reusable Surface Insulation (AFRSI) currently used on the Space Shuttle Orbiter. In addition, the high- temperature properties of the fibers used in these multilayer insulations are discussed. The fibers investigated included silica and three types of alumino borosilicate (ABS). Static tension tests were performed at temperatures up to 1200 ° C and the ultimate strain, tensile strength, and tensile modulus of single fibers were determined.

Fire resistant films for aircraft applications

Alternative sandwich-panel decorative films were investigated as replace ments for the polyvinyl fluoride currently used in aircraft interiors. Candidate films were studied for flammability, smoke emission, selected toxic gas emis sion, flame spread, and suitability as a printing surface for the decorative acrylic ink system. Several of the candidate films tested were flame-modified polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyimide, polyamide, polysulfone, polyphenyl- sulfone, polyethersulfone, polybenzimidazole, polycarbonate, polyparabanic acid, polyphosphazene, polyetheretherketone, and polyester.

Thermochemical and Flammability Properties of Some Thermoplastic and Thermoset Polymersa Review

Abstract There is an increasing demand both for thermoplastic and thermoset resins which, depending on the application, must exhibit one or more high performance characteristics. The resin chosen for a particular application must not only meet the end requirements but also must have good processing characteristics. High performance thermoplastic polymers and thermoset resins must possess one or more of the following characteristics: good thermal oxidative stability, good elevated temperature mechanical properties, high humidity resistance, good fatigue and toughness properties, and chemical and radiation resistance. In addition to the above properties, the polymers selected must exhibit good fire-resistant properties, especially if the material is intended for use in habitable areas. The material must exhibit the following properties when subjected to various flammability tests: low rate of heat release and fuel contribution, low smoke emission, and low concentration of toxic gases when subjected to a fir...