THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMER (TPE) COATED FABRIC FOR TOXICOLOGICAL AGENTS PROTECTIVE SUIT

DURING THE PHASE I PROGRAM, WE PROPOSE TO DEVELOP A RELATIVELY THIN LAMINATE THAT WILL HAVE GOOD PERMEATION BARRIER AND DECON CHARACTERISTICS, ALONG WITH EASE OF PROCESSING, HEAT SEALING AND LOW COST. WE WILL MAKE THIN LAMINATES OF VARIOUS THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS (TPE) WITH FABRIC. THESE LANINATES WILL BE TESTED FOR ADHESION BETWEEN THE TPE FILM AND FABRIC. TESTS WILL ALSO BE CONDUCTED AFTER LONG-TERM EXPOSURE IN A QUV WEATHEROMETER. THE BOND STRENGTH OF HEAT-SEALED JOINTS OF THE LAMINATES WILL BE DETERMINED. CHEMICAL AGENT AND DECON TESTING BY THE SPONSORING AGENCY WILL HELP US TO SELECT THE BEST MATERIALS FOR PRODUCING TAP SUITS. DURING PHASE II OF THIS PROGRAM, WE WILL MAKE A SHORT PRODUCTION RUN (MINIMUM 300 YARDS) OF TPE COATED FABRIC WITH THE BEST MATERIAL SELECTED AT THE END OF OUR PHASE I PROGRAM. WE WILL ALSO PROVIDE SAMPLES OF BONDED JOINTS AND DEMONSTRATE EFFECTIVE METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE TAP SUIT.