Analysis of Samples from Fire in Microcircuits Production Facility

摘要

A fire occurred in the furnace exhaust ductwork in Bldg. 870 of the Bendix Albuquerque Operations on July 27, 1987. The Materials Characterization Department, 1820, was asked to characterize material associated with the fire. The fiberglass reinforced polyester ductwork was analyzed and determined not to have contained the fire retardant resin which was specified during construction. One of several residues identified was cyclohexylamine hydrochloride. The source of the material was not identified, but its precursor (cyclohexylamine) is considered to be a dangerous fire risk. By measuring the relative intensity of Raman peaks from carbon residues, we determined that the carbon residues remaining on the ductwork were exposed to temperatures ranging from 400 to 1000 deg C (+- 100 deg C). These temperatures are substantially below what would have been expected for a hydrogen fire. The major reason that a sustained fire occurred was that the ductwork was substandard. Three possible ignition sources were identified: self-ignition of the ductwork from overheating, hydrogen flash, or cyclohexylamine flash. 8 figs., 5 tabs. (ERA citation 13:029564)