Non-Perfluoroalkyl and Non-Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Elastomeric Chemical Barrier Materials

Triton Systems and its partners propose to design and develop a novel chemical barrier elastomer, that does not contain fluorine, for use in CBRN protective ensembles for hazardous materials because current fluorine containing materials are required to be reduced and eventually eliminated for environmental reasons. In Phase I, we will design and fabricate nanocomposite elastomers with enhanced resistance to the permeation of chemicals while maintaining the stretch, flame resistance, and mechanical strength needed for these garments. These materials will be tested with a permeation test setup equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID) capable of quantifying permeation and breakthrough time of chemicals through a material. In Phase II, we will continue the material and process development by testing promising candidates against a chemical agent and additional industrial chemicals to validate our Phase I results. Phase II will also develop methods to integrate the novel nanocomposite elastomer with other base materials and will demonstrate manufacturing on a continuous pilot scale production line to support transition. Finally, we will work with our commercialization partner to integrate the nanocomposite elastomer into a CBRN protective ensemble.