SPECTRA COMPOSITE THAT WITHSTANDS TORCH FLAME TEST

In recent years, the development of high performance Spectral fibers h as received increasing attention in industry. Because of the outstandi ng capability to absorb energy, these polyethylene fibers are frequent ly used in damage tolerant composite materials to protect equipment, a pparatus, and/or people against blast and debris of explosion or proje ctiles. Since the fiber is thermally stable, it is possible to design composite structures that are suitable for use in applications where p rolonged exposure to flame is anticipated. In this paper, we report th e findings obtained in a recent flammability evaluation of a Spectra c omposite subjected to a torch flame, and to hot metal balls. The Spect ra composite structures that will be discussed were found to withstand these exposures without burning and the smoke generation and toxic ga s emission were far below the limits set in the standard for current a ircraft interior materials.