Advanced Life Raft Fabrics (1001-168)

Triton Systems Inc responds to the US Air Force’s need for new material technologies that will enable manufacture of advanced aviation life rafts that are up to 10% lighter, come in smaller packing cases and overcome the performance limitations of current versions at extreme temperatures such as hot and dry environments. These new life rafts will be fabricated using Triton’s novel fabric, developed during the Phase I that is made by applying a nanoparticle filled coating onto a base nylon fabric. The nanoparticle filled coating will provide improved gas barrier (for extended use times), abrasion and temperature resistance (improved durability) at thinner coating thicknesses (lighter weight). The base nylon fabric will provide the necessary strength to the structure. During the Phase I Triton successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the approach and fabricated coated fabrics based on its proposed concept that showed significant improvements over current fabrics but at reduced weight. In the Phase II we will optimize and scale up the fabric development and fabricate a prototype life raft to demonstrate the benefits. Triton has gained the interest of a large commercial life raft manufacture which should enable quick transition of the technology to commercial application.