To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 10:42:27 -0600
Subject: Fuel tank foam
Message-ID: <20001115.104230.-475289.0.rcalden@juno.com>
From: Richard C Alden <rcalden@juno.com>
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Don't put foam in your tank/s.  The stuff, reticulated foam, was used in
Bell Helicopters (I was told) in Nam to minimize fuel fires resulting
from small arms and AAA.  I saw a classified film (working on combat
survivability of the F-111 at the time) of 50 cal tracers fired into fuel
tanks, one with and one without reticulated foam.  Without resulted in
fire nearing explosion - - with just leaked.

In 1995 I found a synthetic reticulated foam and tried it in a tank for
my 320.  It was "Type IV Foam" from Foam-Ex International in Conyers GA. 
After getting a sample, there was an article in Sport Aviation (June 95)
re a crash of an EZE that had ExploSafe in  the tank.  Sumps had been
drained just before flight, but a water had been entrained in the foam
and killed the engine after lift-off.

I tested the Foam-Ex in a glass jar, and it entrained LOTS of water. 
Hole in tank, remove foam, breathe easier.

PS: I believe that ExploSafe is aluminum reticulated foam.

Dick Alden,   N425A with 10 hours and flying.
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