Development of Single-Layer Universal Combat Uniform Material

A single layer Universal Combat Uniform offering FR, CB, and WR protection would be extremely advantageous on the battlefield allowing for rapid deployment, ease of use and comfort of wear. Nanosyntex’s approach will be to produce a single layered nonwoven fabric via its patented multi-tiered composite technology using high performance inherently FR fibers having excellent flame and thermal resistance on the inner and outer surfaces with a layer of CB protective substrate inserted into the middle of the structure. This unique multi-tiered composite will be hydroentangled via a spunlace process to produce a fabric with good breathability, comfort and hand. The fabric will then be post-treated using NST's proprietary treatments to provide durability and water repellant characteristics. Using this approach, the outside of the fabric can be designed with a tough outer shell offering good thermal, flame and abrasion resistance. The middle layer will consist of a CB protective substrate such as activated carbon, carbon nanotubes or alternate substrate. And the inner layer will be comprised of fibers offering good thermal protection while providing excellent softness and comfort. NST demonstrated the ability to produce this type structure in earlier SBIR work and plans to build on that innovation.