Improved Chemical Protective Gloves Using Elastomeric Nanocomposites

"InMat will develop multilayer chemical protective gloves (CPGs) that provide the function currently provided by several separate gloves. The key material in these gloves is aqueous nanocomposite elastomeric coatings specifically optimized for thisapplication.Butyl rubber is used in chemical protective equipment because of its low permeability. On the other hand, it has several deficiencies as a protective glove. It is not resistant to petroleum oils and lubricants nor to flames. Soldiers often wear petroleumoil resistant gloves over butyl rubber gloves when petroleum oils and chemical hazards might be encountered. Cut resistant gloves, and cotton liners are also often recommended. All this reduces the soldier's manual dexterity.InMat has proprietary aqueous, non-hazardous, elastomeric barrier coatings which are 30-300 times less permeable than butyl rubber while still remaining flexible. These butyl rubber nanocomposite coatings are unique, and have already been commercialized insports applications. InMat has achieved this success through its ability to control dispersion, orientation, and silicate-polymer interactions. We will build upon that technology to develop new chemical protective gloves that are also resistant topetroleum oils and flames, and that empower soldiers by improving their ability to perform manual tasks while protecting them from chemical warfare agents. We will develop chemical protective gloves (CPGs) with the f