Non-Flammable Crew Clothing Utilizing Phosphorus-Based Fire Retardant Polymers

For maintaining U.S. leadership role in space exploration, there is an urgent need to develop non-flammable shirts, shorts, sweaters, and jackets without compromising the comfort and flexibility of the fabrics. InnoSense LLC (ISL) proposes to utilize its phosphorus-containing ionic polymers in crew clothing. In Phase I, this project would demonstrate flame retardancy and perform standard tests showing adequate comfort, appearance, durability, and non-toxicity, which can be realized from ISL polymers. The overall goal is to take existing fabrics, with their desirable physical properties and high level of comfort, and inserting flame retardancy. The innovations of the proposed approach will offer durability of the treated fabric since the polymers will be covalently bonded to the fabrics. Phase I evaluation will also include biocompatibility of the treated fabrics. Fine-tuning and process scale up will be accomplished in Phase II.