Multi-Purpose Flame Retardant Materials for Habitation Solutions

Crewed NASA missions with high frequency EVA operate at reduced pressure and increased oxygen (38% O2), which creates increased flammability risk including lower ignition energy requirements, increased combustion rates and reduced heat dissipation. Very few materials are non-flammable at 38% oxygen. NASA has identified the need for new habitation materials, especially foams and insulation, that pass the rigorous NASA-STD-6001B Test 1 Upward Flame Propagation at 38 vol% O2 test. Giner will develop a novel flame-retardant additive formula that will be demonstrated in polyurethane foams at 38% O2 and reduced pressure. Our improved performance under these conditions is enabled by the rapid response of our intumescent additives which is designed to mitigate the accelerated combustion experienced under the target high O2 low pressure conditions. Rapid activation accelerates the production of diluent gases when exposed to heat, driving O2 away from the ignition point, slowing combustion and starving the flame. Our flame-retardant polyurethane foams will be rigorously tested in-house, followed by 3rd party evaluation as the NASA White Sands test facility in 38% O2 and 8.2 psia.