Fire resistance certification of aircraft composite materials

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires fire resistance certification of aircraft composite materials used in civil aircraft exterior structure and engine compartments. This paper presents an FAA approved process for accomplishing certification testing at minimum cost and time using an oxygen-acetylene heating tip. The test stand and process minimized human factors and quantified backside flame visibility for comparing aluminum and composite materials. The process focus was on demonstratingfire resistant characteristics, but could also be applied to thefireproof test process. Backside flame visibility was defined as the visual observance of light from the oxygen-acetylene flame. This definition was uniformly applied to both the aluminum test panels and the composite test panels. This presentation of the fire resistant certification process for aircraft composite materials will enable others to efficiently set up and perform both fire resistant and fireproof certification testing.