Multi-Purpose Flame Retardant Materials for Habitation Solutions

Crewed NASA missions with high frequency EVA operate at reduced pressure and increased oxygen (38% O2), which creates increased flammability risk including lower ignition energy requirements, increased combustion rates and reduced heat dissipation. Very few materials are non-flammable at 38% oxygen. NASA has identified the need for new habitation materials, especially foams and insulation, that pass the rigorous NASA-STD-6001B Test 1 Upward Flame Propagation at 38 vol% O2 test. Giner will develop a novel flame-retardant additive formula that will be demonstrated in polyurethane foams at 38% O2 and reduced pressure. Our improved performance under these conditions is enabled by the rapid response of our intumescent additives which is designed to mitigate the accelerated combustion experienced under the target high O2 low pressure conditions. Rapid activation accelerates the production of diluent gases when exposed to heat, driving O2 away from the ignition point, slowing combustion and starving the flame. Our flame-retardant polyurethane foams will be rigorously tested in-house, followed by 3rd party evaluation as the NASA White Sands test facility in 38% O2 and 8.2 psia.

New high performance flame retardant foam materials will have a direct impact several NASA missions. NASA has used foams for thermal insulation for spacecraft and rockets, cryogenic insulation for satellites, vibration dampening and space habitat insulation. This is directly applicable to the international space station. Future missions, including Artemis, the Lunar Gateway are manned missions to Mars will also require new flame retardant materials to maximize crew safety. As NASA plans the decommission of the ISS by 2030, there is an opportunity for the private sector to develop a sustained space and lunar economy. Companies like Blue Origin are expected to launch their own space station (orbital reef), with the potential for more privately funded habitats in space and the lunar surface. In each case, preventing catastrophe by utilizing new high performance flame retardant materials will be a high priority. Other markets include automotive and terrestrial aerospace, especially with the drive for more electric vehicles and aircraft. Insulation within battery packs act as a thermal barrier, and high performance materials can help mitigate thermal runaway and prevent loss of life.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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