Fire Safe Materials for Navy Ships

Abstract

Adequate fire protection of the Fleet is a very difficult task, demanding numerous and diverse materials options, ranging from materials of limited flammability to the high temperature “noncombustible” types. To improve shipboard fire safety, certain categories of fire susceptible materials may be upgraded through the incorporation of fire retardants. In many cases, however, new and more fire resistant elastomers, plastics, fibers, resins, composites, and ablative materials, must be developed and adapted for marine applictions. New materials embodying innovating technologies are needed for more fire tolerant structures and machinery components, fire barriers, protective insulation, nonflaming and intumescent coatings, and fire safe materials for a wide variety of internal ship uses. To achieve these goals at affordable cost to the NAVY, the materials R&D community faces considerable challenges. In this paper, an overview is given of ongoing NAVY programs addressing shipboard fire protection. Existing fire resistant materials requirements and specifications are reviewed. Current usage of fire resistant materials on ships is high‐lighted, and new technological opportunities are discussed for future materials developments.

Composites

“…29 Tewarson and Macaione 30 have evaluated the flammability of glass-resin composite samples and the effect of intumescent and ceramic coatings by Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) 50 kW-scale apparatus. Intumescent systems are chemical systems, which by the action of heat evolve gases and form a foamed char.…”

Flammability and Toxicity of Composite Materials for Marine Vehicles

“…According to a NavSea Advanced Composites Program Test, polyimides were rated the highest among the composites tested including glass-reinforced polyester, fiber-reinforced polyimide and phenoxy resins, and graphite/epoxy. Polyimide was found to have the best flammability characteristics and lowest emission of smoke and toxic fumes [13]. The excellent properties of KINEL 5504 composites made of glass fibers in polyimide resin can be seen in Table 13.…”

“…The last type of additives, such as bromine, work in the gaseous phase. Bromine compounds help remove the combustion supporting hydrogen-free radicals from the flame [13]. The additives mentioned have been used as effective flame inhibitors in epoxy and other polymeric materials.…”

“…The coatings have been found to be effective in retarding fire, and they have minimal effects on the physical properties of the material. One very effective intumescent coating is fluorocarbon latex paint which can be easily and safely applied over virtually any composite [13].…”

Historical Aspects Of Fires, After Impact, In Vehicles Of War

“…(29) and ( VII. Mainly About the Use of Aluminium in Naval Vessels 31,32 Aluminium has wide use In modern naval craft, especially In the hull and superstructure In order to reduce welght, Improve stablllty and to help conserve fuel. Unfortunately, the relatIvely low temperatures vls-a-vls steel at whIch alumInIum loses Its strength, renders fire threat of enhanced Importance.…”