A criterion for space capsule fire hazard minimization, part 5
Studying mechanism of flame spreading over surface of igniting polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate for minimizing fire hazard in space capsules
Magee, R. S.↗
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Vacuum ultraviolet holography
The authors report the first demonstration of holographic techniques in the vacuum ultraviolet spectral region. Holograms were produced with coherent 1182 A radiation. The holograms were recorded in polymethyl methacrylate and read out with an electron microscope. A holographic grating with a fringe spacing of 836 A was produced and far-field Fraunhofer holograms of sub-micron particles were recorded.
Bjorklund, G. C.↗
Vacuum ultraviolet holography
We report the first demonstration of holographic techniques in the vacuum ultraviolet spectral region. Holograms were produced with coherent 1182-A radiation. The holograms were recorded in polymethyl methacrylate and examined with an electron microscope. A holographic grating with a fringe spacing of 386 A was produced and far-field Fraunhofer holograms of submicron particles were recorded.
Bjorklund, G. C.↗
Mixed mode stress field effect in adhesive fracture
Numerical or analytical analyses were performed on seven different test specimens including blister test, 90-degree peel test, torsion test, and various cone tests. These specimens are in general subjected to complex stress fields having various amounts of Mode I, Mode II, and Mode III loads. The specimens were then constructed using polymethyl methacrylate for the adherends and a transparent polyurethane elastomer (Solithane 113) for the adhesive. This combination permitted direct observation of the bondline as load was applied. Although initial debonds as well as bond end termination singularities were present in all specimens, in some cases the debond did not initiate at the singularity points as would normally have been expected. An explanation for this behavior is presented, as well as a comparison of loading mode effect on those specimens for which the debond did propagate from a bond terminus singular point.
Anderson, G. P.↗
Time-dependent, non-Newtonian behavior of viscoelastic materials
A kinetic model for characterizing the shear stress or shear strain rate of thixotropic materials is developed and combined with Oldroyd's viscoelastic model (1953) modified in this paper in order to predict the first normal stress difference. In order to test the method, transient and steady state data have been obtained with a Weissenberg rheogoniometer used to measure the constant stress and constant shear rate of a solution of polymethyl methacrylate in diethylphthalate. A computer was used to facilitate data acquisition.
Jachimiak, P. D.↗
The effect of changes in the USF/NASA toxicity screening test method on data from some cellular polymers
Rankings of relative toxicity can be markedly affected by changes in test variables. Revision of the USF/NASA toxicity screening test procedure to eliminate the connecting tube and supporting floor and incorporate a 1.0 g sample weight, 200 C starting temperature, and 800 C upper limit temperature for pyrolysis, reversed the rankings of flexible polyurethane and polychloroprene foams, not only in relation to each other, but also in relation to cotton and red oak. Much of the change is attributed to reduction of the distance between the sample and the test animals, and reduction of the sample weight charged. Elimination of the connecting tube increased the relative toxicity of the polyurethane foams. The materials tested were flexible polyurethane foam, without and with fire retardant; rigid polyurethane foam with fire retardant; flexible polychloroprene foam; cotton, Douglas fir, red oak, hemlock, hardboard, particle board, polystyrene, and polymethyl methacrylate.
Hilado, C. J.↗
A large hemispherical chamber for fire toxicity tests
The paper describes an 84-liter chamber for fire toxicity tests consisting of an upper hemispherical dome section with a diameter of 533 mm, made of clear polymethyl methacrylate and a lower cylindrical base section 190 mm deep, made of cast aluminum. The chamber is designed to expose 36 mice, 8 rats, 4 rabbits or combinations of smaller numbers of two or three species simultaneously to the gaseous products of pyrolysis or combustion. The chamber does not appear to be suitable for screening purposes because its large size introduces operating costs and problems which reduce its cost effectiveness.
Hilado, C. J.↗
Studies with the Arapahoe smoke chamber
Samples of polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, and polystyrene were evaluated using the Arapahoe smoke chamber. These same materials had been previously evaluated using the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) smoke chamber. The percent smoke based on initial weight as determined using the Arapahoe smoke chamber appeared to correlate with the maximum specific optical density under flaming conditions as determined using the NBS smoke chamber. In addition, the percent smoke based on weight loss as determined using the Arapahoe smoke chamber appeared to correlate with the maximum specific optical density under nonflaming conditions as determined using the NBS smoke chamber. The Arapahoe smoke chamber also offers the advantage of high sample throughput and the possibility of related studies of smoke particulates.
Hilado, C. J.↗
Toxicity of pyrolysis gases from synthetic polymers
The screening test method was used to investigate toxicity in polyethylene, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyaryl sulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenyl sulfone, and polyphenylene sulfide. Changing from a rising temperature program to a fixed temperature program resulted on shorter times to animal responses. This effect was attributed in part to more rapid generation of toxicants. The toxicants from the sulfur containing polymers appeared to act more rapidly than the toxicants from the other polymers. It was not known whether this effect was due primarily to difference in concentration or in the nature of the toxicants. The carbon monoxide concentration found did not account for the results observed with the sulfur containing polymers. Polyphenyl sulfone appeared to exhibit the least toxicity among the sulfur containing polymers evaluated under these test conditions.
Hilado, C. J.↗
Process for producing a well-adhered durable optical coating on an optical plastic substrate
A low temperature plasma polymerization process is described for applying an optical plastic substrate, such as a polymethyl methacrylate lens, with a single layer abrasive resistant coating to improve the durability of the plastic.
Kubacki, R. M.↗
The prediction of toxic atmospheres from decomposing polymers
The generation of carbon monoxide from polymethyl methacrylate and polyethylene, and of hydrogen chloride from polyvinyl chloride, was calculated. Calculations were made for various amounts of polymer evolving gaseous products into a 60 cu ft compartment.
Buchler, A.↗
Effect of heating rate on toxicity of pyrolysis gases from some synthetic polymers
The effect of heating rate on the toxicity of the pyrolysis gases from some synthetic polymers was investigate, using a screening test method. The synthetic polymers were polyethylene, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, ABS, polyaryl sulfone, polyether sulfone, and polyphenylene sulfide. The toxicants from the sulfur-containing polymers appeared to act more rapidly than the toxicants from the other polymers. It is not known whether this effect is due primarily to differences in concentration or in the nature of the toxicants. The carbon monoxide concentrations found do not account for the observed results.
Hilado, C. J.↗
Toxicity of pyrolysis gases from some synthetic polymers
Nine samples of synthetic polymers were evaluated for toxicity of pyrolysis gases, using the toxicity screening test method developed at the University of San Francisco. The materials were polyoxymethylene, polyethylene (five samples), polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polystyrene. Of the five polyethylene samples, three contained known levels of chlorine. These test results were combined with earlier data to provide a comparison of 25 samples of synthetic polymers. Polyoxymethylene appeared to exhibit the greatest toxicity, and polystyrene the least toxicity, under these particular test conditions
Hilado, C. J.↗
Environmental stress cracking of polymers
A two point bending method for use in studying the environmental stress cracking and crazing phenomena is described and demonstrated for a variety of polymer/solvent systems. Critical strain values obtained from these curves are reported for various polymer/solvent systems including a considerable number of systems for which critical strain values have not been previously reported. Polymers studied using this technique include polycarbonate (PC), ABS, high impact styrene (HIS), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Critical strain values obtained using this method compared favorably with available existing data. The major advantage of the technique is the ability to obtain time vs. strain curves over a short period of time. The data obtained suggests that over a short period of time the transition in most of the polymer solvent systems is more gradual than previously believed.
Mahan, K. I.↗
Solid spherical glass particle impingement studies of plastic materials
Erosion experiments on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were conducted with spherical glass beads impacting at normal incidence. Optical and scanning electron microscopic studies and surface profile measurements were made on specimens at predetermined test intervals. During the initial stage of damage to PMMA and polycarbonate, material expands or builds up above the original surface. However, this buildup disappears as testing progresses. Little or no buildup was observed on PTFE. PTFE is observed to be the most resistant material to erosion and PMMA the least. At low impact pressures, material removal mechanisms are believed to be similar to those for metallic materials. However, at higher pressures, surface melting is indicated at the center of impact. Deformation and fatigue appear to play major roles in the material removal process with possible melting or softening.
Rao, P. V.↗
Spherical micro-glass particle impingement studies of thermoplastic materials at normal incidence
Light optical and scanning electron microscope studies were conducted to characterize the erosion resistance of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE). Erosion was caused by a jet of spherical micro-glass beads at normal impact. During the initial stages of damage, the surfaces of these materials were studied using a profilometer. Material buildup above the original surface was observed on PC and PMMA. As erosion progressed, this buildup disappeared as the pit became deeper. Little or no buildup was observed on PTFE and on UHMWPE. UHMWPE and PTFE are the most resistant materials and PMMA the least. Favorable properties for high erosion resistance seem to be high values of ultimate elongation, and strain energy and a low value of the modulus of elasticity. Erosion-rate-versus-time curves of PC and PTFE exhibit incubation, acceleration and steady state periods. A continuously increasing erosion rate period was observed however for PMMA instead of a steady state period. At early stages of damage and at low impact pressure material removal mechanisms appear to be similar to those for metallic materials.
Rao, P. V.↗
Spherical microglass particle impingement studies of thermoplastic materials at normal incidence
Light optical and scanning electron microscope studies were conducted to characterize the erosion resistance of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE). Erosion was caused by a jet of spherical micro-glass beads at normal impact. During the initial stages of damage, the surfaces of these materials were studied using a profilometer. Material buildup above the original surface was observed on PC and PMMA. As erosion progressed, this buildup disappeared as the pit became deeper. Little or no buildup was observed on PTFE and on UHMWPE. UHMWPE and PTFE are the most resistant materials and PMMA the least. Favorable properties for high erosion resistance seem to be high values of ultimate elongation, and strain energy and a low value of the modulus of elasticity. Erosion-rate-versus-time curves of PC and PTFE exhibit incubation, acceleration and steady state periods. A continuously increasing erosion rate period was observed however for PMMA instead of a steady state period. At early stages of damage and at low impact pressure material removal mechanisms appear to be similar to those for metallic materials.
Veerabhadra Rao, P.↗
Solid Surface Combustion at Reduced Gravity
The spread of a flame in the gas over the surface of a solid combustible involves in an essential way the transfer of heat from the flame to the solid fuel immediately ahead of it. This heat transfer is affected by the character of the gas phase flame, and so the phenomenon of flame spreading under reduced gravity, in which the flow is generated by gasification of the solid combustible, is apt to be different from what occurs under the Earth's normal gravitational acceleration where the flow is largely buoyancy driven. An experiment is being designed for the Middeck of the Space Shuttle to aid us in understanding the process of flame spreading in the absence of a buoyancy driven flow. A chamber approximately 0.35 cu.m. in volume is to contain either a thin sample of a cellulosic material or a thick sample of polymethyl-methacrylate and an oxidizing environment of O2 and N2. Samples will be ignited at one end, and the ensuing flame spread will be filmed. The spread rate can be determined from the films, and surface and gas-phase temperatures just above the surface will also be recorded. These data will help to clarify the mechanism of forward heat transfer in the low gravity flames.
Altenkirch, R. A.↗