Innovative Carbon Foams for Structural Fire Protection Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Topic No.: N06-141 Topic Title: Innovative Carbon Foams for Structural Fire Protection Proposal No.: N062-141-0603 Firm: Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd. The Millennium Centre R.R. 1, Box 100B Triadelphia, West Virginia 26059-9707 Contact: Jesse Blacker Phone: (304) 547-5800 Web Site: http://www.trl.com Abstract: Touchstone Research Laboratory is proposing to develop CFOAM-LW precursor carbon foam that can be used as structural fire protection on Navy ships. CFOAM-LW precursor carbon foam has the potential to significantly reduce weight and installation costs over current state-of-the-art material systems. Foams have been made with densities as low as 2lb/ft3. The Phase I effort will focus on doing experimental carbonization heat treatments of carbon foam and will then study the fire properties via non-combustibility testing and mechanical properties. At the end of Phase I, resulting optimized CFOAM-LW precursor carbon foam will be selected for qualification testing in Phase II. Benefits: The benefits of a new fire insulation system utilizing carbon foams will be immense and will include reducing weight, cost, and insulation time. The carbon foam system will allow Navy ships to be less expensive and to have better operational capability, as well as maintaining safety levels in the event of a fire. The technology will have broad applications in fire protection for the commercial shipbuilding industry, as well as in off-shore oil rigs, residential and commercial construction, and the petrochemical industry. Return