Evaluation of Four Thermally Protective Fabrics Using the USAARL bioassay Method
Abstract
The United States Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) porcine cutaneous bioassay technique was used to to determine what mitigating effect four thermally protective flight suit fabrics would have on fire-induced skin damage. The fabrics were 4.8 oz. twill weave Nomex aramide, 4.5 oz. stabilized twill weave polybenzimidazole, a 4.8 oz. plain weave experimental high temperature polymer, and 4.8 oz. plain weave Nomex aramide. Each fabric sample was assayed 20 times in each of four configurations: as a single layer in contact with the skin; as a single layer with a 6.35 mm (one-fourth inch) air gap between fabric and skin; in conjunction with a cotton T-shirt with no air gaps; and, finally, in conjunction with a T-shirt with 6.35 mm air gap between T-shirt and fabric. Bare skin was used as a control. A JP-4 fueled furnace was used as a thermal source and was adjusted to deliver a mean heat flux of 3.07 sq cm sec. The duration of exposure was five seconds. Four hundred burn sites were graded using clinical observation and microscopic technique.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA067351
Entities
People
- Francis S. Knox Iii
- George R. Mccann Jr.
- Thomas L. Wachtel
Organizations
- United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab