Evaluation of Thermal Protection of Fabrics and Uniform Systems from Simulated Nuclear Pulse Irradiation

摘要

Fabric materials were tested under simulated nuclear thermal pulses from the solar furnace located at Odeillo, France. Various nuclear yields were used in the testing and a statistical analysis was done to compare the performance of the materials against the different yields and for different pulse shapes. The fabric performance was compared for each of the test conditions, and no significant difference was noted among the various fabrics when irradiated by different yields and pulse shapes. Uniform ensembles, French and American, were evaluated for thermal protection when irradiated by a Thermal Radiation Simulator (TRS) located at Gramat, France. They were tested with fluence levels of approximately 40 and 60 J/sq cm. Video and photographic coverage were used to assess physical damage and the output of an instrumnented manikin was used to calculate skin damage. Skin damage is recorded as second degree or greater burns. Pulse shapes and yields from simulated nuclear blasts were varied when testing uniform systems. No significant difference was noted in temperature rise due to either pulse shape or nuclear yield.