SEDL / STP / STP406-EB / STP44655S

Comments on Aircraft Fluid Fire Hazard Assessment

McCord, R. S.
Project Engineer, Douglas Aircraft Co., Santa Monica, Calif.

Pages: 4    Published: Jan 1966

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Abstract

Tests for assessing the fire hazard from hydraulic fluids, coolants and lubricants in aircraft have been evaluated in light of the new hot wing compartment condition to be encountered in future supersonic transport aircraft (SST's). Existing flammability tests for subsonic aircraft report inception of visible flame while SST's require tests reporting excessive temperature, or pressure rise as the evidence of flammability. The large number of environment variables affecting flammability prevent certain extrapolation of a fluid's hazard rating from a test procedure to actual conditions of use. Flammability is thought to be more a condition of environment than a material property.