Flame propagation characteristics of retardant superfine glass fiber wool in aircraft

Thermal and sound insulation material in aircraft can ensure that the crew and passengers are in a relatively comfortable environment. To analyze the flame propagation characteristics of thermal and sound insulation superfine glass fiber wool, the flame propagation characteristics of glass fiber wool exposed to radiant heat and open flame were investigated using a flame propagation characteristic tester. Results show that, when the ignition time increases from 15 to 85 s, the maximum distance of forward flame spread along the Y-axis increases from 280 to 435 mm. Moreover, the flame spread rate initially decreases, subsequently increases, and finally decreases. According to the analysis, the flame propagation rate increases because the sample is cut during the preparation process so that local oxygen is supplemented to a certain extent. When the temperature of the radiant plate increases within the range of 700−820 ℃, the maximum distance of the flame spreading along the Y-axis was continuously increased from 280 to 390 mm, an increase of 110 mm, indicating that the increase in the temperature of the radiant plate has a significant positive effect on the spread of the flame. Furthermore, the growth rate of the flame that spreads the longest along the Y-axis decreases. By monitoring the real-time temperature inside the glass fiber wool at different positions during the combustion process, we determined that the temperature at the monitoring point close to the ignition source is generally high, and at the same time, the maximum temperature appears longer than the ignition time. The quantitative fitting curve of the furthest distance of forward flame spread along the Y-axis and the thickness of the glass fiber wool is obtained. The thicker the glass fiber wool is (i.e., from 12 to 48 mm), the more obvious the effect on preventing flame spread and diffusion. When the glass fiber wool is burned, more heat is propagated along the thickness direction of the inner layer, thereby reducing the flame heat propagation speed and spread distance along the Y-axis forward direction.