The objective of this SON is to develop elastomeric barrier materials that provide permeation resistance to a variety of industrial chemicals, fuels, and potentially hazardous materials while functioning across a wide variety of operational conditions. Application should be focused on impermeable Class 1 chemical, biological radiological, nuclear gear through Class 3 breathable membranes for turnout gear1.
The alternative elastomeric material should have potential to maintain the following properties:
- Chemical resistance to water-based and oil-based chemicals
- Flexibility and stretch for comfort and fit
- Fire resistance
- Minimal permittivity
- Function across a wide variety of environmental and operational conditions, including temperature variations, UV and light radiation, and chemical exposure while remaining durable
The alternative should address key chemical safety criteria including but not limited to:
- Reduce or eliminate the use of TSCA section 6 chemicals2
- Reduce or eliminate the use of CERCLA hazardous substances and emerging chemicals of concern3
- Not contain or use per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), perfluorinated oligomers, and polymers4,5
Proposals must identify particular chemical additives, formulation ingredients, or chemical modifications used on the elastomer that should be targeted for replacement. Proposals must hypothesize fundamental reasons for the efficacy of the proposed alternative formulation or modification, propose methods to assess its effectiveness, and propose and assess elastomer formulation(s) that would result in improved performance relative to formulations without the targeted formulation ingredient or chemical modification.
Proposals should include a plan to conduct a preliminary Life Cycle Analysis6 (LCA) to help indicate the life cycle cost benefit associated with the proposed process relative to current processes. Proposals should establish a lifecycle framework that can mature as the technology or process advances through the acquisition process. This tiered approach aims to develop and document a minimum data set at each stage of research and development that can be used to make informed decisions and streamline transition to an acquisition program. The LCA may include varying depths of data and information that can inform: the goal and scope of an analysis; the identity and quantity of relevant inputs and outputs to the system; and the estimation of life cycle impacts and costs.
Given the subject matter, it is possible teams will propose use of chemicals or agents that require licenses/approvals. At least one member of the proposal team must already possess these licenses/approvals as SERDP will not grant these. The preproposal must provide affirmation of this license/approval and the full proposal should provide these as an appendix.
It is also possible that a proposal to this SON will contain CUI or information that SERDP will treat as CUI. However, to enable proposal review from the scientific community, the proposal should not include CUI or information that SERDP will treat as CUI. If it is necessary to include CUI or information that SERDP will treat as CUI, an addendum document should be provided that includes the relevant CUI for the SERDP Program Office to review. In those cases, the SERDP Program Office will appropriately mark the document to ensure protection of the CUI from public release and enable review by other federal representatives and SERDP designated subject matter experts for the express purpose of facilitating peer review or scientific/technical assessment of this proposal. Information should be kept at the Distribution C level to enable review by other federal representatives, while Distribution D will be accommodated if necessary. Distributions B and E and classified proposals will not be accepted. As an alternative to Distribution C or D, the following Distribution F authorization may be acceptable: Distribution authorized to SERDP and their designated support contractors; employees of other federal agencies and their designated support contractors; and SERDP designated subject matter experts for the express purpose of facilitating peer review or scientific/technical assessment of this proposal. SERDP must ensure all personnel being provided this document meet eligibility criteria to access and protect CUI.
Identifying and developing alternatives additives to polymeric materials would increase materiel resilience and reduce supply risk to DoD operations and lead to life cycle cost reduction. This effort will ensure continued availability of protective equipment used across the DoD. Novel barrier membrane designed for Chem/Bio protection will offer several key benefits including enhanced protection, flexibility and stretch for comfort, breathability, lightweight and low bulk. These benefits contribute to more effective protection and improved user experience in various hazardous environments.
First responders require high levels of protection from percutaneous threats such as chemical warfare agents (CWAs), toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), fuels, lubricants, solvents, vapors, and acids and bases. Requirements for protective gear are outlined in the NFPA 1994 standards and range from a low level of protection (Class 4) to high (Class 1)7.
Material properties and performance can be assessed in various ways. Yet, the following methodologies are the standard methods for elastomeric barrier materials:
- Flammability: ASTM D 1230/NT FIRE 029 or similar
- Wear resistance: EN ISO 12947, ASTM D4157 or similar
- Breathability: ASTM E 96 or similar
- Water resistance: EN 20811 / DS ISO 811 or similar
- Flexibility: ASTM F392 or similar
John La Scala, Ph.D.
Program Manager for Weapons Systems and Platforms
Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP)
john.j.lascala.civ@army.mil
