Lightweight, Flame Retardant Ammunition Packaging

Luna Innovations in cooperation with Clemson University will be developing lightweight, flame retardant packaging suitable for use aboard naval vessels. The proposed program involves 1) designing composite based packaging suitable for transport andstorage of large, heavy, shock sensitive objects including large caliber ammunition 2) producing environmentally sound flame retardant, fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for use as packaging materials 3) making FRP composite parts proving theproposed composite materials have mechanical and fire retardant properties suitable for use in the designed packages. The flame retardant FRP composites of this proposal are based on a novel method of imparting fire resistance. The proposed FRP resinshave been shown to be self-extinguishing in preliminary tests. The proposed flame retardant offers advantages of being environmentally sound with minimal off-gassing of toxic compounds during combustion. In addition, the proposed flame retardant resinsare expected to have comparable mechanical properties with potential improvements in toughness compared with commercial non-flame retardant resins. This development will contribute to the Navy's goal of producing safe, lightweight packaging while improvingthe efficiency of transporting and storing ammunition. Non-halogenated flame retardant composites have a variety of military and commercial applications such as load bearing structures, appliance housing, ventilation ducts as well as marine, automobileand aerospace components. Flame retardant composite packaging will find use in commercial shipping and packaging industries, particularly in marine and rail transportation as well as warehouse storage.