Low-Density, Low-Volume Explosion Suppression Material for Aircraft Fuel Tanks

The objective of Topic N182-121 is to develop a low-density and low-volume explosion suppression material for aircraft fuel tanks. Explosion Suppression Foam (ESF) is used as a passive means to improve safety and mitigate ballistically-induced events and/or electrical failures that can propagate flame fronts within fuel tanks aboard naval air and land vehicles. Despite the benefits from ESF, fuel tanks aboard aircraft and vehicles require routine maintenance, and removing and reinstalling ESF is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly. Furthermore, at a nominal density of 1.3 pounds per cubic feet, the ESF displaces a measurable amount of fuel volume. This program will address the development of a new fuel tank explosion suppression (FTES) material with a density less than 0.9 pounds per cubic foot, that is compatible with JP-4, JP-5, JP-8 and commercial Jet A fuels, including strict adherence to SAE AIR 4170B. METSS will engineer the alternative ESF using novel materials to meet targeted physical, mechanical, and performance properties required to protect the foam. METSS will leverage historical expertise in fuel bladder survivability to address the concerns of the solicitation.