- Author
- Coskren, R. J. | Kaswell, E. R.
- Title
- Development of PBI Fabric for Flight Suit Wear Test. Technical Report. September 1968-September 1970.
- Coporate
- Fabric Research Laboratories, Inc., Dedham, MA
- Report
- AFML-TR-71-195, September 1971, 68 p.
- Distribution
- DISTRIBUTION LIMITED to U.S. Government Agencies ONLY Available from National Technical Information Services
- Contract
- F33657-69-C-0256
- Keywords
- PBI (fabrics); flight clothing; coveralls; heat transmission; flammability; heat transfer; thermal protection; polybenzimidazole
- Identifiers
- production and evaluation of experimental PBI fabrics; production of 600 flight coveralls; thermal stabilization treatments; mathematical analysis of heat flow; specification information
- Abstract
- The objective of this program was the development of PBI fabric for evaluation in summer weight flying coveralls. The work was carried out in two phases. During Phase 1 a group of spun PBI fabrics was designed, woven, evaluated in the laboratory and twenty coveralls fabricated for evaluation by AFML. In Phase 2 600 PBI coveralls were fabricated and distributed to various Air Force, Army, Navy, and NASA installations for in-service O. T. and E. (Operational Test and Evaluation). A laboratory process was developed to minimize the thermal shrinkage of spun PBI fabric resulting from high temperature exposure. Further development must be conducted to refine and optimize the process to prevent darkening of the fabric. The PBI fabric ultimately chosen for the 600 coveralls was woven from 21 singles (cotton count) 3.6 twist multiplier yarn. The fabric selected was a 69 x 64, 2x1 twill weighting 4.7 ounces per square yard. The coveralls were single layered throughout, except in areas containing pockets. Based on flammability tests conducted in the laboratory and in simulated aircraft fuel fires, this PBI fabric was found to be superior to the flying suites currently used by the Air Force in preventing dangerous thermal penetration and destruction by fire.