LUNA INNOVATIONS INCORPORATED — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A17-075

Description

The high cost of polyaramid fibers used in the Flame Retardant Army Combat Uniform (FR-ACU) has driven the development of flame retardant treatments for nylon-cotton (NYCO) blends used in the less expensive Army Combat Uniform (ACU). The most cost effective of these treatments are based on halogenated chemicals, which have been shown to evolve toxic gases when combusted. Though effective on cotton, these halogenated flame retardants are not as effective when used on nylon or nylon blends. Whereas cotton forms a char upon exposure to fire, nylon tends to melt and drip, potentially causing burn damage. Blending the nylon with cotton actually makes the issue worse do to a phenomenon of cotton scaffolding effect. Since cotton is less flammable, its char holds the fiber within the flame and this effect actually increases the combustibility of the nylon. Luna will use our expertise in nano and fluorinated silicates to stabilize the nylon 6,6 resin so that it can form a stable, non-dripping char upon combustion. The incorporation of a high temperature stable nanosilicate, will result in a nylon 6,6 fiber that will not propagate flame or drip, while providing the necessary strength characteristics for a FR-ACU fabric for the Army.