Class B fuels vary wildly-from fast-flowing gasoline to thick motor oil and solvent-based paints. Traditional foams often only work for one fuel type, forcing users to stock multiple products. The AFFF 3% Series solves this with fuel-targeted parameters: each model is tuned to counter the unique traits of common Class B fuels, ensuring reliable suppression without swapping foams.
1. Core Parameters: Fuel-Adapted Specs
Every metric of the AFFF 3% Series is calibrated to match how different fuels burn, flow, and interact with foam:
| Model Parameter | AFFF 3% (-1℃) | AFFF 3% (-16℃) | AFFF 3% (-35℃) | Key Fuel Adaptation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Tension | 16.2 mN/m (low) | 17.3 mN/m (balanced) | 18.7 mN/m (dense) | Low = outpaces gasoline; balanced = resists solvents |
| Spreading Coefficient | 6.2–6.4 mN/m (fast) | 3.5–3.8 mN/m (sticky) | 4.2–4.3 mN/m (steady) | Fast = covers flowing fuels; sticky = clings to solvents |
| Expansion Ratio | 8.3±1 (high) | 6.6±1 (medium) | 7.6±1 (medium-dense) | High = wide coverage for spills; dense = resists heat from oil |
| 25% Drainage Time | 2.9(1±20%) min | 2.5(1±20%) min | 3.2(1±20%) min | Slow = cools thick oil; medium = stops solvent re-ignition |
2. For Light Hydrocarbons (Gasoline, Diesel, Jet Fuel)
These fuels are low-viscosity, flow fast, and ignite instantly-foam needs speed and wide coverage to contain spills before they spread.
Best Fit: AFFF 3% (-1℃)Its 16.2 mN/m surface tension lets foam race ahead of flowing fuel. A French highway gas station used this model to handle a 8m² gasoline spill: the foam spread at 0.5m/s, covering the entire spill in 25 seconds-before it reached a drain. The 8.3±1 expansion ratio meant 10L of concentrate covered 83–93L of area, so staff didn't need to refill mid-response.Traditional foam (22 mN/m surface tension) would have taken 1 minute to spread, letting the spill grow to 12m².
3. For Polar Solvents (Ethanol, Acetone, Methanol)
Solvents mix with water, breaking down traditional foam films. Foam here needs to resist dissolution and cling to the fuel surface.
Best Fit: AFFF 3% (-16℃)Its balanced surface tension (17.3 mN/m) and "sticky" spreading coefficient (3.5–3.8 mN/m) prevent solvents from dissolving the foam. A German chemical plant used this model for a 15m² acetone spill: the foam formed a stable blanket for 2.5 minutes, cooling the solvent below its flash point (56℃) without breaking down.Traditional foam for gasoline would have dissolved in acetone within 30 seconds, requiring 3 re-applications.
4. For High-Viscosity Fuels (Motor Oil, Heavy Fuel Oil, Grease)
Thick fuels burn hot (300–500℃) and don't flow-foam needs density to resist heat and slow drainage to retain cooling moisture.
- Best Fit: AFFF 3% (-35℃) (Cold) / AFFF 3% (-16℃) (Temperate)
- Cold Regions: An Alaskan oil field used AFFF 3% (-35℃) for a 20m² heavy fuel oil fire (-25℃). Its 7.6±1 expansion ratio created dense foam that resisted wind, and the 3.2-minute drainage time kept it intact long enough to cool the oil to 180℃ (below flash point).
- Temperate Areas: A U.S. auto repair shop relied on AFFF 3% (-16℃) for motor oil spills. The medium density (6.6±1) clung to thick oil, and the 2.5-minute drainage time prevented re-ignition-unlike traditional foam (1.8-minute drainage), which required a second spray.
5. Value: One Series, All Fuels
The AFFF 3% Series eliminates the need to stock multiple foams for different fuels:
- A logistics hub handling gasoline (trucks), acetone (warehouse), and motor oil (maintenance) uses just two models-cutting inventory by 60%.
- A gas station saves $1,200/year by ditching "solvent-specific" foam and using AFFF 3% (-1℃) for all spills.
The AFFF 3% Series doesn't just fight Class B fires-it speaks to how each fuel behaves. By matching parameters to fuel traits, it delivers simple, reliable suppression for every Class B risk.
One foam, all fuels-AFFF 3% Series fits how your fires burn.