Characterization and degradation studies on synthetic polymers for aerospace application

The anti-misting additive for jet fuels known as FM-9 (proprietary polymer) was characterized by elemental analysis, solubility studies and molecular weight determination. Physical properties of surface tension, viscosity, specific gravity and other physical parameters were determined. These results are compared with properties of polyisobutylene and fuels modified with the same; the misting characteristics of polyisobutylene and FM-9 in Jet A fuel are included. Characterization and degradation of phthalocyanine and its derivatives were accomplished by use of a mass spectrometer and a pyroprobe solid pyrolyzer. Metal phthalocyanine tetracarboxylic acids and phthalocyanine-tetraamine cured epoxies were studied. Epoxy/graphite composite panels were exposed to a NASA-Ames radiant panel fire simulator in the flaming and non-flaming modes; toxic gases of HCN and HZS were measured along with oxygen, Co2, Co, and organic gases.