Ralph,
> "...I just heard today that the new waterless fluid is flammable. I
> saw it burn today/ Stemme has issued an urgent SB to remove the stuff
> - I heard 2 fatalities of coolant leak catching fire. The 50 - 50
> solution will not burn. Oh well! Have you heard anything about this? I
> also discovered that the 100% solution of antifreeze burns too..."
Yes glycols are flammable. Remember those WWII air combat stories ?
The NPG+ consists of a blend of different glycols (propylene glycol
seems to be the main component, as in the regular NPG coolant).
Propylene glycol (1,2 propanediol) has a 107C flash point.
Please see SDS here http://www.sargentwelch.com/pdf/msds/sch94661.pdf
In my opinion, the main hazard is with mists and fumes. A pinpoint leak
may well produce some heavier-than-air flammable mist under the cowling.
Do you have additional info on this Stemme SB ?
Nowadays, very few people in Civil Aviation Authorities, if any, have a
clear understanding of what is involved in internal combustion engine
cooling...
From a pure technical point of view, there is little to be gained by
using those water-free coolants.
Regards,
Gilles Thesee
Grenoble, France
http://contrails.free.fr
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