- Author
-
Stanton, R. M.
- Title
- Development of Reflective Materials for Fire Fighter's Boots. Final Technical Report. June 1971-January 1972.
- Coporate
- Air Force Materials Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
- Report
-
AFML-TR-72-247
April 1973
24 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
-
boots
|
fire fighters
|
protective clothing
|
reflectance
|
neoprene (trademark)
|
viton
- Identifiers
- fire fighters boots; reflective materials; neoprene binders; viton binders
- Abstract
- It has been demonstrated that a neoprene binder used in Air Force fire fighter's boots is a hazardous component acting as an efficient absorber of radiant energy emitted from a JP-4 fire. Protective properties of the neoprene is further reduced by the use of carbon black filler which adds to the absorbancy. Simply changing the filler to a more reflective material is not sufficient to overcome the overriding effect of the neoprene binder. Use of fluorocarbon binder materials partially transparent to infrared energy emitted from the JP-4 fire,in conjunction with known reflectors in the 0.6 to 6.0 micron wave length range, provide improved heat block capability. This process warrants further optimization. Because of the apparent high cost of the Viton (vinylidene fluoride/perfluoropropylene copolymer) binders examined in this program as investibation should be conducted to arrive at less expensive, yet still effective binder materials.