Research and Development of Prefabricated Airfield and Road Surfacing Membrane

摘要

The U.S. Army desires an effective means for establishing an airfield or roadway without the expenditure of time necessary when conventional means are used. Where soil conditions permit the bare ground can be covered with a coated fabric called Prefabricated Airfield and Road Surfacing Membrane. For the production of the fabrics, fiber performance, yarn construction, weave construction for grab and tear strength, flexibility, winding equipment, dressing equipment, loom requirements, and selvage requirements were considered. For the rubber compound, a neoprene latex was chosen. The final membrane sample used one basic rubber with three different levels of binding additive. It was found that priming of the fabric to promote rubber bonding was mandatory. For the combination of fabric, primer, and rubber to yield a satisfactory membrane material, many manufacturing variables were considered. Techniques were developed for this purpose. (Author)