Lightweight Flexible Composite Tent Materials

Abstract

The program investigated the theory that flexible composite materials can be engineered to provide the physical properties desirable for tent materials, particularly at reduced weights relative to currently available materials. The technology for combining materials into high performance composites is uncommon in the textile industry as a whole, but is commonly practiced by manufacturers specializing in high strength-to-weight ratio materials for applications such as sailcloth and aerospace insulation systems. High strength lightweight composite materials were developed which provide tailored physical properties for use as tent materials. These systems can be produced with commercially-available, reasonably low cost base materials which can be fabricated using existing manufacturing processes. A variety of materials and constructions were shown to meet a majority of the property requirements for the Five-Soldier Crew Tent. Future development of these lightweight constructions should focus on identifying flexible coating systems to improve the hand and durability properties of these continuous film composites.... Composite, Film, Reinforced, Nonwoven, Lightweight, Fabric, Yarns.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 23, 1992
Accession Number
ADA263021

Entities

People

  • Robert N. King

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biomedical And Dental Materials
  • Composite Materials
  • Construction
  • Dacron
  • Environment
  • Fabrication
  • Films
  • Fluoropolymers
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanical Working
  • Physical Properties
  • Polymeric Films
  • Reinforcing Materials
  • Test Methods
  • Wear Resistance

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Materials Science
  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space