SEDL / STP / STP1319-EB / STP12058S

Modeling of Promoted-Ignition Burning: Aluminum

Wilson, DB
Consultant, Mesilla Park, NM

Stoltzfus, JM
Aerospace Engineer, NASA Laboratories Office, NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility, Las Cruces, NM

Pages: 14    Published: Jan 1997

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Abstract

The burning of aluminum in NASA/ASTM flammability tests is examined for establishing a probable mechanism. Similarity between oxidation of pure solid and pure liquid aluminum surfaces suggest that a phase-boundary reaction occurs and that a Langmuir-Hinshelwood model is appropriate. Consistent evaluation of available data confirm that a phase-boundary reaction is highly probable. Vacuum evaporation and thermal energy considerations support this contention.