A bibliography of published information relevant to fire toxicity
A bibliography containing 883 references in the field of fire toxicity is presented to assist in literature searches to help reduce human fire hazards.
Hilado, C. J.↗
Engineering topics
Parker, J. A.
Publications and source records attributed to Parker, J. A..
The use of the high flux heater in the smoke chamber to measure ignitability and smoke evolution of composite panels
Ten samples of composite panels were evaluated in the smoke chamber using a high flux heater to produce heat flux levels up to 9.5 watts per square cm. This study demonstrated the potential of the apparatus as a means of evaluating ignitability as well as smoke evolution. Depending on the material and the heat flux level, ignitability results ranged from ignition within 2 seconds to no ignition during the test period. Smoke density generally increased with increasing heat flux. A composite panel consisting of bismaleimide-fiberglass/bismaleimide honeycomb with carbon microballoons exhibited the lowest smoke density at high heat flux levels and the greatest resistance to autoignition.
Hilado, C. J.↗
Systems for animal exposure in full-scale fire tests
Two systems for exposing animals in full-scale fire tests are described. Both systems involve the simultaneous exposure of two animal species, mice and rats, in modular units; determination of mortality, morbidity, and behavioral response; and analysis of the blood for carboxyhemoglobin. The systems described represent two of many possible options for obtaining bioassay data from full-scale fire tests. In situations where the temperatures to which the test animals are exposed can not be controlled, analytical techniques may be more appropriate than bioassay techniques.
Hilado, C. J.↗
Inexpensive portable drug detector
Inexpensive, easy-to-use, self-scanning, self-calibrating, portable unit automatically graphs fluorescence spectrum of drug sample. Device also measures rate of movement through chromatographic column for forensic and medical testing.
Dimeff, J.↗
Relative toxicity of pyrolysis products of some aircraft seat materials
Eighteen samples of aircraft seat materials were evaluated for relative toxicity using the USF/NASA toxicity screening test method. Nine samples were upholstery fabrics and nine samples were cushioning foams. Under these particular conditions of test, the aromatic phenolic and aromatic polyamide fabrics exhibited less toxicity than the samples of wool and wool/nylon fabrics, and the samples of neoprene foams exhibited less toxicity than the samples of polyurethane foams. These relative toxicity rankings were obtained using both apparent lethal concentration for 50 percent of the test animals (ALC50), and time to death (Td) at a fixed weight of material.
Hilado, C. J.↗
Relative toxicity of pyrolysis products of some polyurethane and polychloroprene foams
Results of toxicity screening tests on some polyurethane and polychloroprene flexible foams are presented. The test method involves the exposure of four Swiss albino male mice in a 4.2-liter hemispherical chamber to the pyrolysis effluents from 1 g of sample exposed to temperatures rising from 200 to 800 C at a rate of 40 C/min. Mortality and times to incapacitation and to death are recorded. Comparisons indicate that flexible polyurethane foams without fire retardant are more toxic than the corresponding foams containing fire retardant, and polychloroprene foams are least toxic.
Hilado, C. J.↗
Thermochemical characterization of some thermoplastic materials
The thermochemical and flammability characteristics of some typical thermoplastic materials currently in use or being considered for use in aircraft interiors are described. The properties studied included thermomechanical properties such as glass-transition and melt temperature, changes in polymer enthalpy, thermogravimetric analysis in anerobic and oxidative environments, oxygen index, smoke evolution, relative toxicity of the volatile products of pyrolysis, and selected physical properties. The generic polymers evaluated included acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, bisphenol A polycarbonate, 9,9 bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) fluorene polycarbonate-poly (dimethylsiloxane) block polymer, phenolphthalein-bisphenol A polycarbonate, phenolphthalein polycarbonate, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyaryl sulfone, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride homopolymer, polyvinyl fluoride, and polyvinylidene fluoride. Processing parameters, including molding characteristics of some of the advanced polymers, are described. Test results and relative rankings of some of the flammability, smoke, and toxicity properties are presented. Under these test conditions, some of the advanced polymers evaluated were significantly less flammable and toxic than or equivalent to polymers in current use.
Kourtides, D. A.↗
Assessment of relative flammability and thermochemical properties of some thermoplastic materials
Thermomechanical properties, flammability, oxygen index, relative toxicity of pyrolysis effluents, and char yields were studied for 12 advanced polymers which are candidates for use in aircraft interiors as decorative films, compression- and injection-molded parts and thermoplastic parts. Polymers sampled included polyphenylene sulfide, 9,9 bis (4-hydroxyphenol) fluorene polycarbonate-poly (dimethylsiloxane), polyether sulfone, polyvinyl fluoride and polyvinylidene fluoride. Availability of these samples, whether in commercial form or in test quantities, is specified. An estimate of relative fire resistance for the materials was obtained; the five polymers listed above were found to be the most fire resistant of the 12 sampled.
Kourtides, D. A.↗
Syntheses and Degradations of Fluorinated Heterocyclics: Perfluoroalkyl and Perfluoroalkylether-1,3,4-Oxadiazoles - 3
2,5-Bis(perfluoro-n-heptyl)-, 2-perfluoroalkylether-5-perfluoro-n- heptyl- , and 2 , 5-bisperfluoroalkylether-1,3,4-oxadiazoles were synthesized and characterized. 2,5-Bis(perfluoro-n-heptyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole was thermally and hydrolytically stable at 325 C; however, in the presence of air, degradation took place at 235 C. The perfluoroalkylether analogue exhibited thermal and hydrolytic stability at 325 C; it was found to be unaffected by jet-A fuel and air at 235 C. At 325 C in air some degradation occurred as evidenced by volatiles production, oxygen consumption, and 96% starting material recovery.
Paciorek, K. J. L.↗
Syntheses and Degradations of Fluorinated Heterocyclics: Perfluoroalkyl and Perfluroalkylether-1,2,4-Oxadiazoles - 2
3-Perfluoroalkylether-5-perfluoro-n-heptyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole and 3,S-bis(perfluoroalkylether)-1,2,4-oxadiazole were synthesized and characterized. The 3, 5-bis(perfluoroalkylether)-l, 2,4-oxadiazole was subjected to thermal, thermal oxidative, and hydrolytic degradations at 235 and 325 C and was found to be stable under these conditions as evidenced by practically quantitative recovery of the test samples. In the presence of Jet-A fuel at 235 C a low degree of degradation, approximately 4%, was observed. 3,5-Bis(perfluoro-n-heptyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole was found to be stable to attack by water at 325 C; however in air in the presence of jet-A at 235 C the extent of degradation was in excess of 10%.
Paciorek, K. J. L.↗
Thermoplastic polymers for improved fire safety
The thermochemical and flammability characteristics of some typical thermoplastic materials currently in use and others being considered for use in aircraft interiors are described. The properties studied included (1) thermomechanical properties such as glass transition and melt temperature, (2) changes in polymer enthalpy by differential scanning calorimetry, (3) thermogravimetric analysis in anaerobic and oxidative environments, (4) oxygen index, (5) smoke evolution, (6) relative toxicity of the volatile products of pyrolysis, and (7) selected physical properties. The generic polymers that were evaluated included: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, bisphenol A polycarbonate, 9,9 bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) fluorene polycarbonatepoly (dimethyl siloxane) block polymer, phenolphthalein bisphenol A polycarbonate, phenolphthalein polycarbonate, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyaryl sulfone, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride homopolymer, polyvinyl fluoride, and polyvinylidene fluoride. Processing parameters, including molding characteristics of some of the advanced polymers, are described. Test results and relative ranking of some of the flammability, smoke, and toxicity properties are presented.
Kourtides, D. A.↗
Apparent lethal concentrations of pyrolysis products of some polymeric materials
Thirty-nine samples of polymeric materials were evaluated to determine the apparent lethal concentrations of their pyrolysis products. The materials were compared on the basis of the apparent lethal concentration for 50 percent of the test animals. Relative toxicity rankings based o apparent lethal concentration values can differ significantly depending on whether they are based on weight of sample charged or weight of sample pyrolyzed. The ranking of polyphenylene sulfide is particularly sensitive to this difference.
Hilado, C. J.↗
A composite system approach to aircraft cabin fire safety
The thermochemical and flammability characteristics of two polymeric composites currently in use and seven others being considered for use as aircraft interior panels are described. The properties studied included: (1) limiting oxygen index of the composite constituents; (2) fire containment capability of the composite; (3) smoke evolution from the composite; (4) thermogravimetric analysis; (5) composition of the volatile products of thermal degradation; and (6) relative toxicity of the volatile products of pyrolysis. The performance of high-temperature laminating resins such as bismaleimides is compared with the performance of phenolics and epoxies. The relationship of increased fire safety with the use of polymers with high anaerobic char yield is shown. Processing parameters of one of the bismaleimide composites is detailed.
Kourtides, D. A.↗
The sensitivity of relative toxicity rankings by the USF/NASA test method to some test variables
Pyrolysis temperature and the distance between the source and sensor of effluents are two important variables in tests for relative toxicity. Modifications of the USF/NASA toxicity screening test method to increase the upper temperature limit of pyrolysis, reduce the distance between the sample and the test animals, and increase the chamber volume available for animal occupancy, did not significantly alter rankings of relative toxicity of four representative materials. The changes rendered some differences no longer significant, but did not reverse any rankings. The materials studied were cotton, wool, aromatic polyamide, and polybenzimidazole.
Hilado, C. J.↗
Relative toxicity of pyrolysis products of some cellular polymers
Twelve samples of cellular polymers were evaluated in the course of developing test methods for toxic materials characterization. Six samples were flexible polyurethane foams, three were rigid polyurethane foams, two were high density rigid foams, and one was a modified polyimide foam. Some effects of formulation variables are discussed.
Hilado, C. J.↗
Relative toxicity of pyrolysis products of some synthetic polymers
Nineteen samples of synthetic polymers were evaluated for relative toxicity in the course of characterizing materials intended for aircraft interior applications. The generic polymers included ABS, chlorinated PVC, polycarbonate, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone, polyaryl sulfone, polyether sulfone, polybismaleimide, and polyvinyl fluoride. Test results are presented, and compared in relative rankings with similar results on cellulosic materials and other synthetic polymers. Under these test conditions, the samples of synthetic polymers were either comparable to or significantly less toxic than the samples of commercial cellulosic materials.
Hilado, C. J.↗
The effect of temperature and air flow on the relative toxicity of polymeric materials by the USF/NASA toxicity screening test method
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Hilado, C. J.↗
Conference on the Development of Fire-Resistant Aircraft Passenger Seats
Papers are presented dealing with the development of aircraft seats with the minimum fire risk. Criteria examined include: flame spread, heat release, and smoke and/or toxic fumes. Materials and performance specifications of all seat material options are provided.
Fewell, L. L.↗