INVESTIGATION OF THE VULNERABILITYOF AIRCRAFT ENGINE OIL TANKSTO ACCESSORY SECTION FIRES

摘要

Laboratory tests have been conducted to determine whether aluminum oil tanks located forward of aircraft power plant fire walls are potential fire hazards. Three series of tests were conducted on various types of oil tanks, both coated and uncoated.nThe first test series was conducted on uncoated aluminum oil tanks ranging in size from 3 to 10 gallons. These tests indicated that even a small tank completely enveloped inflame would remain undamaged for as long as 20 minutes, provided it was full of oil. Tanks that were only partly filled with oil were damaged in a relatively short time. The fire used in this test series was small at the start and gradually increased in size and severity.nThe second and third series of tests were conducted using a fire that was at its full size and severity within a few seconds after the start of the test. In the second series of tests aluminum alloy tanks coated with suitable heat-insulating materials with¬stood fires from 6 to 12 times as long as unprotected tanks. The third series of tests indicated that steel tanks can withstand fire for still greater periods of time, provided the gaskets are made of fireproof material and the filler cap is of such design that the tightness is not affected by fire.