SCREENING OF FLAME-RESISTANT MATERIALS AND COMPARISON OF HELIUM WITH NITROGEN FOR USE IN DIVING ATMOSPHERES.

Abstract

The main purposes of the study were: (1) to determine the influence of sample angle, ambient-gas composition (air, oxygen-enriched air, pure oxygen, oxygen-nitrogen mixtures, and oxygen-helium mixtures) and pressure (0 to 1000 feet of seawater) on the burning rate of a typical combustible material, and (2) to procure sample and make a preliminary evaluation, by means of small-scale tests, of fire-resistant or non-combustible textiles, elastomers, insulation, etc. which might be useful in diving-decompression chambers. The experimental results show that under most conditions, everything else being equal, burning takes place more rapidly when helium, rather than nitrogen, is the oxygen diluent. Samples of over 60 different materials were procured, tested, and tentatively assigned to one of ten classes with respect to fire resistance. The report also includes a survey of literature published too late to be included in the extensive review by Roth that appeared in 1964. Funded by the Office of Naval Research.