Military Technology Could Improve Civilian Aircraft

LINWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, November 11, 2001 -- A technology which has been used for more than 30 years to protect Air Force and Navy fighter planes and bombers from ground fire and projectiles may have application in improving safety in civilian aircraft.

Many U.S. military aircraft now operating over Afghanistan are equipped with fuel tanks lined with a specialty polyurethane foam technology invented by Foamex International Inc. The foam, acting like a three-dimensional fire screen, suppresses explosion and flame spread should bullets and/or shrapnel pierce the fuel tanks.

"It's a high-tech solution that could have civilian aircraft applications," says Andrew Thompson, Vice President of Research and Development for Foamex. "It's high-tech in terms of the advanced engineered foam technology, but the operating principle is wonderfully simple, with no moving parts."

Recent versions of the technology, which Foamex calls Safetyfoam™, also protect fuel tanks from electrical equipment and static discharge ignition. In addition, tests have shown that the technology may reduce explosions and flame spread resulting from emergency or crash landings.

"Although alternate technology is available to suppress spark and static discharge, it is ineffective if a fuel tank is ruptured due to penetration by a bullet or from impact with buildings or the ground," Thompson explained. "Under small-scale test conditions, Safetyfoam™has been shown to be effective in mitigating explosions and slowing the spread of flames caused by either projectile penetration or impact."

Safetyfoam™has also been shown to play a key role in the reduction of fuel tank explosion and flame spread in ground vehicles dropped by air for use by troops or other ground personnel.

Foamex chairman, Marshall S. Cogan, advised that the company is currently investigating alternatives for expanded research to develop the next generation of Safetyfoam™ for potential application in commercial aircraft.