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Old 31st Jul 2007, 00:16
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amicus
 
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The key differences between epoxy composites and metallic components are far lower ignition temperature levels for epoxies and accompanying high lateral rate of fire spread, high peak heat release rates and high smoke and toxicity levels as is well established in the literature over several decades. In terms of ignition temperatures, you are talking factors of three to four higher for aluminum and magnesium versus composites and the smoke and toxicity from epoxy composites are very high.
So the danger is present and needs to be addressed prior to certification via FST full scale tests and not ducked around in my opinion.
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