Swatch Testing at Elevated Wind Speeds
Abstract
As part of a program to develop a systematic method to test and quantify Individual Protective Equipment (IPE) effectiveness, a methodology for the testing of IPE material at elevated wind speeds was developed. This effort involved the creation of two dissemination systems, devices to hold the swatch material, and instrumentation and sampling techniques needed for wind tunnel use. A fumed silicate, Aerosil 380, with an agglomeration size of approximately 100 nm and Dioctyl sebacate were used as the challenges. Wind tunnel tests were conducted for speeds of 3.0 m/sec, 6.1 m/sec, 9.1 m/sec, 13.2 m/sec, 18.3 m/sec, 27.4 m/sec, and 30.5 m/sec and the system and methodology developed were shown to give spatially and temporally repeatable results. Tests were conducted on was a 2/1 right-hand (denim), 100% cotton twill weighing 10 oz./yd2 purchased from JoAnn Fabrics. The data show that increasing wind speed resulted in increasing penetration when an ambient velocity equivalent face velocity was maintained. The results were found to be consistent and repeatable and correlated well with data results taken at another facility using different instrumentation and procedures. A bench top swatch testing system was developed and correlated well with the wind tunnel swatch results at the equivalent face velocity. Aerosil, with a density 20 times less than Dioctyl sebacate, was found to have particle penetration from 10% to 30% less than the Dioctyl sebacate particle penetration. The ability to correlate bench top swatch testing and the new wind tunnel swatch technique allows the systematic testing IPE components, such as fasteners, seams, and closures, for improved system performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 17, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA606690
Entities
People
- Jonathan Kaufman
- Kenneth L. Murphy
- Michael A. Hill
- Suresh Dhaniyala
- Terence A. Ghee
Organizations
- Naval Air Warfare Center