Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-09/23
Title and Subtitle: Evaluation of the Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on Common Aviation Structural Materials
Report Date: December 2009
Authors: Chou SF, Sofyan NI, Overfelt RA, Sk MH, Gale WF, Gale HS, Shannon CG, Fergus JF, Watson J
Abstract: Infected passengers can unintentionally contaminate the interior of aircraft; deliberate biological contamination from criminals and international adversaries is also possible. Previous work has provided information regarding the delivery mechanism and capability of STERIS Corporation's Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP * ) technology as a decontaminant/disinfectant/sanitizer for transportation vehicles like aircraft, buses, subway trains, ambulances, etc.
The present report documents a materials compatibility evaluation of the effects of hydrogen peroxide exposure on the physical and mechanical properties of the following commercial grade structural materials: 2024-T351, 2024-T6 and 7075-T6 aluminum, 304 stainless steel, carbon fiber/epoxy composites and glass fiber/epoxy composites, including FR4 laminate materials widely used for printed circuit boards. Measurements of changes in sample weights due to absorption, oxidation, or corrosion were made as were evaluations of changes in tensile and flexural mechanical properties. The tensile properties of samples of the metallic samples were unaffected by exposures to either vapor phase or 35% liquid phase hydrogen peroxide.
In addition, the carbon fiber/epoxy, glass fiber/carbon fiber epoxy, and the FR4 printed circuit board materials exhibited no significant changes in flexural strength or strain at peak load after 10 VHP exposures. However, some mechanical degradation in the composite samples was observed after 168 hour exposure to 35% liquid hydrogen peroxide. It is recommended that condensation be avoided during application of vapor phase hydrogen peroxide.
*VHP is a registered trademark of the STERIS Corporation, Mentor, OH.
Key Words: Hydrogen Peroxide, Decontamination, Materials Compatibility, Metals, Composites, Technology Evaluation
No. of Pages: 21
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-09/23
Title and Subtitle: Evaluation of the Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on Common Aviation Structural Materials
Report Date: December 2009
Authors: Chou SF, Sofyan NI, Overfelt RA, Sk MH, Gale WF, Gale HS, Shannon CG, Fergus JF, Watson J
Abstract: Infected passengers can unintentionally contaminate the interior of aircraft; deliberate biological contamination from criminals and international adversaries is also possible. Previous work has provided information regarding the delivery mechanism and capability of STERIS Corporation's Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP * ) technology as a decontaminant/disinfectant/sanitizer for transportation vehicles like aircraft, buses, subway trains, ambulances, etc.
The present report documents a materials compatibility evaluation of the effects of hydrogen peroxide exposure on the physical and mechanical properties of the following commercial grade structural materials: 2024-T351, 2024-T6 and 7075-T6 aluminum, 304 stainless steel, carbon fiber/epoxy composites and glass fiber/epoxy composites, including FR4 laminate materials widely used for printed circuit boards. Measurements of changes in sample weights due to absorption, oxidation, or corrosion were made as were evaluations of changes in tensile and flexural mechanical properties. The tensile properties of samples of the metallic samples were unaffected by exposures to either vapor phase or 35% liquid phase hydrogen peroxide.
In addition, the carbon fiber/epoxy, glass fiber/carbon fiber epoxy, and the FR4 printed circuit board materials exhibited no significant changes in flexural strength or strain at peak load after 10 VHP exposures. However, some mechanical degradation in the composite samples was observed after 168 hour exposure to 35% liquid hydrogen peroxide. It is recommended that condensation be avoided during application of vapor phase hydrogen peroxide.
*VHP is a registered trademark of the STERIS Corporation, Mentor, OH.
Key Words: Hydrogen Peroxide, Decontamination, Materials Compatibility, Metals, Composites, Technology Evaluation
No. of Pages: 21
Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012