Exploratory Development of New and Improved Self-Sealing Materials for Fuel Lines

摘要

New and improved self-sealing fuel line composites were developed under this program. Fabric reinforced plastic and nonflowering integrated aluminum foil, fabric reinforced laminated fuel line composites employing compressed natural rubber foam as the sealant were fabricated which successfully sealed wounds inflicted by .30 and .50 caliber projectiles. The weight of these new self-sealing fuel line composites ranged from 0.83 to 1.28 lbs/sq ft. Results of pressure tests demonstrated that the fabric reinforced plastic fuel line and certain fuel line composite based on plies of aluminum foil reinforced with plies of ballistic nylon fabric to be capable of withstanding hydraulic pressure in excess of 240 psi and resistant to distortion under (29.5 inches of Hg) vacuum. The compressed foam self-sealing concept utilizing plies of ballistic nylon for controlling damage was also investigated as a means of protecting standard aluminum fuel line tubing. The self-sealing compressed foam composite evaluated for protecting a standard aluminum fuel line was found to be effective for sealing wounds inflicted by .30 caliber projectiles but proved to be inadequate at the .50 caliber projectile threat level.