Development of New Repellent Application Techniques for Military Clothing

The development of new insect-repellent treatments for military textiles and uniforms is a crucial challenge facing the U.S. Army as the current treatment methods have been found to be ineffective in impregnating the insecticide, permethrin, in the newly fielded Flame Retardant Army Combat Uniforms (FRACUs). In addition, the current impregnation technique also shows a decrease in permethrin concentration in Army Combat Uniforms (ACUs) upon wear and laundering. TIAX proposes to develop new permethrin treatments that are chemically compatible with and specific for the FRACU and the ACU. In addition, our new treatments will have a robust adherence to the textile and will be applicable for large scale treatments of textiles or uniforms at the factory level. Finally, we will ensure that the new treatments do not interfere with other important textile characteristics such as its strength, color-fastness and hand.