Development of Flame Resistant Combat Uniform Fabrics Made from Long Staple Wool and Aramid Blend Yarn

This report documents efforts performed, between May 2011 and November 2012, under a Broad Agency Announcement contract between the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC). The objective was to develop flame resistant combat uniform fabrics with improved strength by spinning aramid (Nomex and Kevlar)/wool blend yarns on the long staple yarn spinning system rather than the more commonly used short staple spinning system. Under this effort both woven camouflage printed outerwear fabric and solid colored knitted next-to-skin fabric were developed. The woven fabric provided flame protection, visual and near infrared camouflage, comfort, and durability compared to current camouflage printed Nomex and Kevlar fabric (MIL-C-83429). Likewise the knitted fabric provided flame protection, comfort, and durability unavailable in other base-layer fabrics. This project leveraged and built upon two previous NSRDEC funded ASI efforts (which developed the camouflage print recipe and appropriate woven and knitted constructions) and focused on improving fabric strength through the use of the long versus short staple yam spinning system. The project was a complete success, resulting in fabrics that are near ready for full rate production.
The original document contains color images.