Self-Healing Shape Memory Polymer Coatings for Chemical/Biological Protective Clothing

The ultimate goal is to develop coatings to self-seal or heal a textile material. Soldiers"personal safety is compromised when CB protective uniforms become torn. This project aims to achieve this objective by coating or laminating a shape memory elastomeric polymer composite thin film with CB protective and excellent self sealing capability to an existing soldier garment fabric material. The potential mechanisms of passive and active self repair are presented. The healing process is anticipated to be enhanced by the shape memory properties and the continuous release of novel nanosealing agents from the membrane. The materials are robust thermally and environmentally to undergo industrial processing and field use. The Phase I effort will develop and screen formulations comprising an innovative stabilized nanoparticles containing CBW agent neutralizers, uniformly dispersed in a moisture vapor breathable shape memory polymer (SMP) matrix. This will be followed by the fabrication of a proof-of concept SMP material incorporated with the further down selected stabilized nanoparticles eventually as a free membrane or coated onto to a fabric. The highly moisture breathable, tear resistant elastomeric SMP liner releases agents when torn or cut to form an instantaneous flexible but tough rubbery barrier nanocomposite thus allowing shape recovery and self-repair. The coated fabric will be tested and demonstrated for the key criteria of establishing the sealing mechanism and performance . The CWA simulant and actual agent permeation will be carried out by the proposing firm and an Army certified laboratory on both the intact and self-sealed materials. The outcomes/ deliverable are first time data on the proof of concept Phase I in situ self sealing mechanisms for an ultra thin CB protective liner material and delivery of representative samples of known compositions. The Phase I option will demonstrate the more detailed self-sealing performance and active barrier properties of the prototype liner material made from a small industrial pilot trial.