RESIDUAL STRENGTH OF COMPOSITES DURING AND AFTER FIRE EXPOSURE

The flammability characteristics of conventional and advanced composit e materials have been extensively studied within the DOD. However, the structural performance of composite materials, the residual strength of composite structures, and the consequences of composite usage on sh ip survivability and damage control during and after fire have not yet been fully assessed. Residual flexural strength retained (%RSR) after exposure to 25 kW/m2 for a duration of 20 minutes (ASTM E-662) for se lected conventional and advanced composite materials is presented. A m ethodology is presented for th assessment of the residual strength of composite materials during fire exposure by inter-relationship of mech anical property temperature, thickness and time.