Affordable and Durable Flame Retardant Treatment for Military Fabrics

TIAX proposes to continue development of a new durable flame retardant (FR) treatment for nylon/cotton (nyco) combat uniform textiles, like that used in the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU). Currently the military procures specialty FR uniforms to meet its needs. Although these uniforms provide critical FR properties, they are twice as expensive as standard uniforms and not as comfortable or durable. As a result, a general need exists to develop a FR treatment method for the standard MCCUU which would provide the needed FR properties without significant impact on the other critical uniform properties for an increase of 5% or less in the cost of the uniform. Current FR treatments are typically designed for use on cotton and do not perform satisfactorily on textile blends with nylon. These existing treatments also tend to add substantial weight and decrease the strength of the fabric. TIAX"s new FR treatment for nyco textiles is based on an understanding of the particular chemistry of nyco blends and provides excellent FR properties. In the proposed Phase II program, we will iteratively test and improve the process and begin to scale up production to deliver prototype FR treated nyco fabric to the Marine Corps.