NOTES FOR RECORD - ANALYSIS OF SMUDGE FROM BW-3 SUIT CONTROLLER DIAPHRAGM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00285R000400130012-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 27, 2002
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: January 23, 1967
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For-Release 2002/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00285R000400130012-1
23 January 1967
Subject: NOTES FOR RECORD - ANALYSIS OF SMUDGE FROM
BW-3 SUIT CONTROLLER DIAPHRAGM
Dear Bruce,
A number of months ago, (April and May, 1965), there was considerable
concern over a black graphite-like contaminant in the suit airflow com-
ponents. This deposit was generally thought to be a "smoke smudge"
associated with engine fuel vapor in our vent air, a supposition that we
fell in with, having just dealt with the cockpit smoke incidents. We were
misled at the time by too hastily scanning a Firewel laboratory memo
dealing with "Analysis of PFI Vapor Within the F6642-202-02 Regulator,
F6642-201.02 Controller and Suit". The latter turned out to be not a
lab analysis showing the contaminant to be fuel, but merely a theoretical
treatise on what could happen to these components if fuel were present.
Durin er 3, 1966 session at BW-3 will] I 25X1A
mentioned that we are still experiencing the
smudging; however, except for making periodic replacements of the 25X1A
affected rubber parts, they have dropped any specific concern about its
being a problem. He obtained from them a representative sample part
just removed from suit, and brou ht it back t
for analysis. This diaphragm was said by o have been use or 25X1A
"three or four flights on 134 and several, not more than six, on 121".
We now have on hand fro he spectro- 25X1A
graphic analysis of the black contaminant from this part. Its composition
was found to be as follows, in percentages which I understand to be
approximate:
23% Potassium 37% Sodium
20% Silicon 1. 6% Strontium
12% Calcium 1.2% Titanium
11 % Aluminum . 2?%o Zinc
10% Barium .04% Zinconium
8% Magnesium
Approved For Release 2002/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00285R000400130012-1
 Approved For,-Release 2002/06/24a:cCIA RDP75B00285R000400130012-1
23 January 1967
By their Interpretation the contaminant appears to be typical of the
western United States dirts, possibly excepting the fairly high barium
content. It was definitely made up of metallic elements, in oxide or
other mineral forms, and was specifically not related to the hydro-
carbon family. It was found to be relatively non-conductive, a further
similarity to dirt. Physically this "dirt" was not in normal chunk form,
but appeared to them to be homogenized or creamy, possibly from the
65, 000 rpm beating given it by our turbines.
Best regards,
25X1A
Approved For Release 2002/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00285R000400130012-1