In light of the discussion re: composites and aluminium alloy in the
presence of fire, I wonder if someone (amicus ?) could comment:
In a composite structure, serious fire at one side of the sheet could
cause serious delamination and strength reduction before it burnt through,
due to the insulating properties of the composite materials. Aluminium
alloy, on the other hand, even though thinner, conducts heat very well
and has a high melting temperature.
Seems to me that, in the same way that an aluminium pan doesn't melt when
exposed to a gas flame, so long as it doesn't boil dry, aluminium should
be safer, especially at 30k feet, lots of air cooling the panel and air
temperature of say, -50 C ?...