DUNMORE Aerospace Joins R&D on Fire Safety

Published: April 07, 2016

BRISTOL, PA | DUNMORE Aerospace, a provider of aerospace material development, says its test results are to be included in findings presented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). DUNMORE Aerospace along with aircraft OEM testing labs and other materials manufacturers, submitted test results to the FAA as part of a joint effort to evaluate the flammability performance of various aircraft interior materials. The FAA presented its report in March at the International Aircraft Materials Fire Test Working Group meeting in Bordeaux, France.

The Materials Fire Test Working Group is part of the FAA’s long-range research initiative to develop fire-safe materials for use on future commercial aircraft. DUNMORE Aerospace’s role in the group is to test standard materials alongside other group members within the construct of a round robin test methodology. The FAA compiles the independent test results and presents the findings during meetings conducted throughout each year.

The FAA presentation highlighted key findings of interest to the aerospace industry and beyond, as the results will be used to achieve the goal of minimizing the role of burning cabin materials as a cause of death in future aircraft accidents. Three major technical objectives were used during this long-range research effort. Aircraft materials targeted for upgraded fire resistance include thermoset resins, thermoplastics, textile fibers, and elastomers. Fire Resistant Aircraft Materials Program Milestones will be touched upon to illustrate the changes.

“By working in collaboration with regulatory agencies, we look to improve testing protocols and advance aerospace material technologies,” says Art Mallett Jr., director, Global Aerospace. “Future products will be responsively created to address concerns brought up by better testing. Commercial flights will continue to be made safer than ever before with the advancement of engineered aircraft materials.”

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