[geeks] Re: the Hindenburg disaster....

[Andrew Weiss]

http://engineer.ea.ucla.edu/releases/blimp.htm

Furthermore, the substance used to coat the cotton skin  a process
known as "doping" which makes the fabric taut and more durable  was
extremely flammable. A combination of iron oxide, cellulose acetate and
aluminum powder, "the total mixture might well serve as a respectable
rocket propellant," Van Vorst said.

Additionally, the manner in which the skin was attached to the airframe
allowed a large electrostatic charge to build up on its surface. When it
finally discharged, it did so with disastrous results.

"As a result of the electrostatic activity, the skin became highly
charged, and finally passed the current through the skin to the frame.
In the process, the skin and its highly energetic doping constituents
were ignited, setting off the conflagration," Van Vorst said in the
paper.

Analysis of the sister airship, the Graf Zeppelin, being constructed at
the time of the Hindenburg accident, indicates remedial measures were
quickly undertaken, he said. Calcium sulfumate, a chemical widely used
in the textile industry as a fireproofing agent, was added to the doping
mixture. The doping compound was further modified by substituting bronze
for aluminum. Though heavier, the bronze was far less combustible.
Furthermore, the bronze was highly conductive, allowing any static
charges to be bled off, rather than build up. Also, the cord holding the
fabric in place was impregnated with graphite to make it conductive,
thus reducing the electrical potential between skin and structure.

On Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at 11:03 AM, Tim H. wrote:

> I recall iron oxide, but I may be entirely wrong.  Especially since iron
> oxide is already oxidized, but that's what I remember.
>
> Tim
>
>> [ On Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at 14:05:59 (-0700), Geoff Reed wrote: ]
>>> Subject: Re: OT: Idiot Accountants (was re: [geeks] combatting
>>> smokers)
>>>
>>>   Actually it was the powdered aluminum? or was it zinc, i forget
>>>   that was
>>> mixed in with the doping agent for the skin of the Hindenburg that
>>> caused it to burn.
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