Next Generation Fire Protective Textiles Incorporating Microencapsulated Flame Retardants

An important facet to a soldier's survivability depends on the clothing worn during combat and training exercises. Common fibers used in the textile industry, particularly nylons and polyesters, are flammable, produce toxic smoke and are potentially hazardous when worn soldiers. Flame retardant materials applied directly to these fibers may adversely alter the properties of the fabric and/or degrade through use. As a result, microencapsulation serves as a viable alternative solution. Microencapsulation protects the FR material from environmental water and washing; protects it against rugged wear conditions; and protects it against degradation due to heat and sun light; while maintaining the desired properties of the fabric such as breatability, flexibility and strength. Soldier survivability will be improved by microencapsulating FR materials and incorporating them into textiles used by the U.S. Army including; clothing, tentage and individual equipment. Aspen Systems' will investigate available FR materials, encapsulation techniques andd incorporation methods through the use of advanced molecular modeling techniques. The most promising FR materiels will then be microencapsulated and incorporated into new and existing synthetic and natural fibers. Aspen Systems has teamed with Southwest Research Institute, a recognized leader in microencapsulation technology, to investigate compatible microencapsulation processes and perform microencapsulation of FR materials.