NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.
Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Thomas J. Ohlemiller, Thomas G. Cleary, James E. Brown, John R. Shields
Abstract
Composite materials offer the potential for substantial weight savings in the structure of both surface ships and submarines. However, the organic nature of the binder resins in these materials implies that one would be replacing non-flammable materials (aluminum, steel) with materials that could possibly contribute to a fire. This points to a critical need for methods which allow reliable prediction of the extent of fire involvement which a given material may exhibit in a particular application. There are numerous aspects of this which must ultimately be considered; these range from the strength of the composite under a fire heat load to potential toxicity and corrosivity of the fire gases.
Ohlemiller, T.
, Cleary, T.
, Brown, J.
and Shields, J.
(1993),
Assessing the Flammability of Composite Materials, Journal of Fire Sciences, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=912150
(Accessed October 14, 2025)