Summary Points
- NASA tested commercial webbings for flammability in elevated oxygen environments.
- Sturges’ 60% Kevlar®/40% polybenzimidazole passed flammability requirements at 37% oxygen.
- Results indicate potential for use in lunar and Martian missions’ softgoods.
- Final material performance must be confirmed in full product configurations.
TB 26-04 Webbings for Use in Elevated Oxygen Environments
Elevated Oxygen Environments and Flammability Risks
Future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars plan to use elevated oxygen environments. This approach reduces the time required for astronauts to prebreathe before performing extravehicular activities. However, a higher concentration of oxygen—as much as 37%—increases the risk of flammability. As a result, there is a pressing demand for fire-resistant materials.
The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) has developed a strategy to identify textiles that meet NASA’s stringent flammability requirements. This initiative aims to provide safe materials for the aerospace community, ensuring that they can be effectively used in softgoods applications, such as mobility aids and restraint nets. The first phase of this project involves testing commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) textiles with promising potential.
Testing and Results
Testing of potential webbings was conducted at the White Sands Test Facility (WSTF). The goal was to determine the maximum oxygen concentration (MOC) at a pressure of 8.2 psia. The selected webbings, composed of 60% Kevlar® and 40% polybenzimidazole (PBI) from Sturges Manufacturing Company, were examined under NASA-STD-6001B Test 1. Both natural and black versions of these webbings were tested in an unshielded J configuration.
The results showed that the natural webbing achieved a MOC of 37% oxygen, while the black webbing achieved a MOC of 35% at the specified pressure. These findings indicate that the natural webbing passed the initial flammability tests, making it a potential candidate for future use in elevated oxygen environments. However, it’s crucial to note that the final performance will depend on the specific configuration. Various factors—including dimensions, yarn size, weave type, and additional features—could significantly impact flammability characteristics.
Offgassing tests were also conducted on the natural webbing, further evaluating its safety in these elevated oxygen conditions. Data from these tests are critical when selecting materials for final softgoods development. The standards for approval require comprehensive testing in the configuration of the final product. Thus, while these individual results are promising, they do not guarantee that the final assembled item will meet required flammability standards.
The need for materials that can withstand the unique challenges of lunar and Martian environments is more pressing than ever. Adopting advanced materials like the Kevlar/PBI webbings represents a significant step toward achieving safer and more effective space missions.
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