RESIDUAL STRENGTH OF COMPOSITES DURING AND AFTER FIRE EXPOSURE

The flammability characteristics of conventional and advanced composite 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 ship 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 selected conventional and advanced composite materials is presented. A methodology is presented for th assessment of the residual strength of composite materials during fire exposure by inter-relationship of mechanical property temperature, thickness and time.