Principal investigator: Bo Li
University: Villanova University
Industry partner: OTEX Specialty Narrow Fabrics
The proposed R&D collaboration between Villanova University and OTEX Specialty Narrow Fabrics (OTEX) seeks to create a new class of fire-retardant textile for applications in aerospace, defense, and industrial safety. The project will enable ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a high-performance polymer with excellent mechanical strength, with new fire-retardant capability. The Villanova team pioneered water-based techniques for applying a thin-coating of nanomaterials to the surface of polymer and polymeric fibers. Given UHMWPE’s relatively low-cost compared with materials like Kevlar–ranging 24% - 282% higher in price–there is great potential for this coating technology to provide OTEX a competitive economic advantage in the marketplace for its array of safety and protection equipment.
While UHMWPE has a variety of desired properties for OTEX’s customers—strength, durability, light weight, and low-cost—it is inherently inflammable. Moreover, UHMWPE is a hydrophobic material, meaning it repels rather than absorbs water-based coating liquids. To address this technical challenge, we will leverage the highly complementary expertise of the two partners. Villanova University has water-based coating technology and expertise in nanomaterial processing and fluid dynamics to develop the nano-coating. OTEX’s Quality Control and Testing Labs will determine if the nano-coated UHMWPE meets industry standards for durability and fire retardance.