Timothy Marker

A device was constructed to simulate an exploding aerosol can. The device consisted of a cylindrical pressure vessel for storage of flammable propellants and base product and a high-rate discharge (HRD) valve for quick release of the constituents. Simulator tests were conducted using representative constituents and propellant quantities for comparison with actual cans heated to the point of rupture and ignition. his report describes the tests conducted with the simulator in unconfined spaces, a B-727 cargo compartment, and an LD-3 Unit Loading Device (ULD). ubsequent work is planned with the aim of matching the pressure pulse produced by the exploding aerosol can simulator with that measured during an overheated aerosol can explosion.

Richard E. Lyon

This report provides an overview of the research being conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop ftre safe cabin materials for commercial aircraft. The objective of the Ftre-Resistant Materials program is to eliminate burning cabin materials as a cause of death in aircraft accidents. Long-term activities include the synthesis of new, thermally stable, low fuel value organic and inorganic polymer systems. The synthesis effort is supported by fundamental research to understand polymer combustion and flre resistance mechanisms using numerical and analytic modeling and the development of new characterization techniques. Aircraft materials which are targeted for upgraded ftre resistance are (1) thermoset resins for interior decorative panels, secondary composites, and adhesives, (2) thermoplastics for decorative facings, telecommunication equipment, passenger service units, molded seat parts, transparencies, and electrical wiring, (3) textile flbers for upholstery, carpets, decorative murals, tapestries, and (4) elastomers/rubber for seat cushions, pillows, and sealants. During the fIrst 2 years of the program (1995-1996) we have made signifIcant progress in achieving our interim goal of a 50 percent reduction in the heat release rate of cabin materials by 2002 and zero heat release rate cabin materials by 2010 with respect to the 1996 baseline for new aircraft.

A follow-on detailed report, Ftre-Resistant Materials: Progress Report, DOT/FAAlAR-97/100, documents the technical efforts of all of the investigators in the program.

The American record of air safety is the finest in the world --that fact cannot be disputed. The credit belongs to a number of groups, including aircraft manufacturers, the airlines, trade associations and professional groups, consumer groups. labor organizations, the traveling public, the . Congress, and the FAA.. Each has contributed meaningfully to aviation safety and, at one time or another, has been right when others have been wrong. Through the dedication and persistence of all, and out of a . mutually shared concern, the cause of aviation safety has been greatly advanced and continues to achieve even higher levels.

Patricia Cahill

Round robin flammability testing was performed by eight laboratories on thermal acoustical insulation blankets and films used as insulation coverings. Test samples were subjected to vertical Bunsen burner testing and cotton swab testing. The test data indicated that the cotton swab test produced consistent test results, whereas the vertical flammability test did not.

Richard E. Lyon

A mass loss model for char forming polymers in fires is developed from mechanistic pyrolysis kinetics. Under conditions of flaming combustion the coupled rate equations for thermal degradation products and reactants reduce to a single rate law for the residual mass. Exact results are obtained from the mass loss history which include an equilibrium char yield whose value depends only on the relative rates of gas and char formation at a particular temperature. Reaction rate constants for thermolysis of chemical bonds, gas production, and char formation are determinable from parametric fits of the mechanistic charring model to thermo gravimetric data. Predictions of the no isothermal mass loss during constant heating rate experiments are in agreement with experimental data over the expected range of validity. {