Fire retardation is an increasingly important part of composite construction, particularly in transportation applications. PolyTetraFluoro-Ethylene, PTFE, has long been used in applications requiring flame retardancy. Most consumers know PTFE from non-stick cookware, dental floss and a myriad of industrial and medical applications. Typically, PTFE is used as a filler in plastics, extruded for wire and cable applications, or molded to form complex parts that may be exposed to high heat or flame. In composites, PTFE has historically been laminated onto a composite surface to comply with a variety of smoke and flame requirements. We have investigated a novel use of PTFE in composites. Specifically, we have developed a PTFE-based fabric that can be incorporated into a composite part. This paper examines the use of this non-woven fabric and its performance in three categories; flame suppression, smoke generation, and toxicity in a flaming environment (FST). The result is a well-protected, consistent flame retardant barrier in a composite structure which passes ASTM standards for FST. This paper will focus on transportation requirements.
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