Combustion Science and Technology, Vol.179, No.10, 2153-2169, 2007
Combustion of Nomex (R) III fabric in potential space habitat atmospheres: Cyclic flame spread phenomenon
Upward flame spread over Nomex((R)) III fabric was tested in enriched oxygen, reduced pressure atmospheres. These are potential conditions for future space habitat environments. Flammability boundaries as a function of oxygen percentage and pressure were determined experimentally. Upward spread is possible at 24% O-2 for pressures as low as 7 psia. For most cases, upward spread is cyclic in nature. A cycle consists of flame growth, flame split, blowoff of the downstream '' secondary '' flame and re- growth of the upstream '' primary '' flame. This article presents a detailed description of this interesting and unexpected phenomenon, and suggests that a two- stage solid pyrolysis is its cause.
Keywords:flame splitting;Nomex flammability;periodic upward flame spread;two-stage pyrolysis;upward flame spread limit