Test results indicated superiority of certain polyether-based polyurethanes as protective coatings and suggested that baffle-materials with one of these coatings should have useful life approximately twice that of uncoated foams now in use

Bilow, N.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

NASA TECH BRIEF 
Ames Research Center .
November 1974	 B74-10219 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Moisture-Resistant Baffle Material for Fuel Tanks 
Polyurethane-foam baffle material is used in air-
craft fuel tanks to prevent sloshing of fuel, to reduce 
fire hazards by inhibiting flame propagation, and to 
reduce the rate of spillage in the event of leakage or 
ballistic impact. Currently, a polyester-based poly-
urethane is used because pores in the foam structure 
can be enlarged to an optimum and controlled size by 
an alkaline hydrolytic etch. Unfortunately, the foams 
currently in use undergo a progressive hydrolytic de-
terioration; depending on the environment, the air-
craft wings must be opened to replace the foam bar-
riers within 1 to 3 years. 
Many varieties of polymeric products were investi-
gated in attempts to find a protective coating for the 
baffle material. In general, candidate coatings were 
applied to foam tensile specimens in amounts which 
increased specimen weight by 40 to 50 percent or 
more; coated specimens were placed in a hot, humid 
environment (86°C, 93% R.H.) and tested for break-
ing strengths at intervals from 3 to 20 days. The re-
sults of the tests (and other physical and mechanical
property measurements) indicated the superiority of 
certain polyether-based polyurethanes as protective 
coatings and suggested that baffle -materials with one 
of these coatings should have a useful life approx-
imately twice that of the uncoated foams now in use. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Ames Research Center 
Moffett Field, California 94035 
Reference: TSP 74-10219 
Patent status: 
NASA has decided not to apply for a patent. 
Source: Norman Blow of

Hughes Aircraft Company

under contract to
Ames Research Center 
(ARC-10861) 
Category 04 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19740000219 2020-03-17T13:56:18+00:00Z


Moisture-resistant baffle material for fuel tanks

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server