**Process Specification for Flame Retardant Treatment of Fabrics and
Webbings**

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| **Engineering Directorate**                                           |
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| **Structural Engineering Division**                                   |
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| **July 2005**                                                         |
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| ![](media/image1.png){width="1.3944444444444444in"                    |
| height="1.1430555555555555in"}                                        |
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| National Aeronautics and                                              |
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| Space Administration                                                  |
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| **Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center**                                    |
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| Houston, Texas                                                        |
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**Process Specification for Flame Retardant Treatment of Fabrics and
Webbings**

+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
| **Prepared      | ***Signature on File***          |      | 7/15/05 |
| by:**           |                                  |      |         |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
|                 | Julie Henkener                   |      | Date    |
|                 |                                  |      |         |
|                 | Materials and Processes          |      |         |
|                 | Branch/ES4                       |      |         |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
| **Prepared      | ***Signature on File***          |      | 7/21/05 |
| by:**           |                                  |      |         |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
|                 | Rajib Dasgupta                   |      | Date    |
|                 |                                  |      |         |
|                 | Materials and Processes          |      |         |
|                 | Branch/ES4                       |      |         |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
|                 | ***Signature on File***          |      | 7/22/05 |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
| **Approved      | Bradley Files, Acting Chief      |      | Date    |
| by:**           |                                  |      |         |
|                 | Materials and Processes          |      |         |
|                 | Branch/ES4                       |      |         |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
|                 |                                  |      |         |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+

  ----------- --------------------------------------------- ---------------
  REVISIONS                                                 

  VERSION     CHANGES                                       DATE

  \--         Original version                              5/1/2003

  A           Added new Scotchgard product formulation.     7/25/2005
              Scotchgard 4101W or Scotchgard 4101 may be    
              used.                                         

                                                            

                                                            

                                                            
  ----------- --------------------------------------------- ---------------

**1.0 [SCOPE]{.underline}**

This process specification establishes requirements for the application
of flame retardant coatings to fabrics and webbings.

**2.0 [APPLICABILITY]{.underline}**

This process specification applies to flame retardant treatments for
fabrics and webbings used in both flight and non-flight hardware.
Specifically it applies to the use of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate
solution and Scotchgard 4101W or its replacement product, Scotchgard
4101.

**3.0 [USAGE]{.underline}**

This process specification shall be called out on the engineering
drawing by using a drawing note that identifies the surface(s) to be
coated. One example of a standard callout is:

**APPLY FLAME RETARDANT TREATMENT TO ALL SURFACES OF FABRIC PER NASA/JSC
PRC-4005**

The materials used for the flame retardant coating are not required to
be listed in the drawing's parts list.

## 3.1 WORK INSTRUCTIONS

Work instructions shall be generated for implementing this process
specification. The work instructions shall contain sufficient detail to
ensure that the manufacturing process produces consistent, repeatable
products that comply with this specification.

**4.0 [REFERENCES]{.underline}**

NASA-STD-6001 Flammability, Odor, Offgassing, and Compatibility
Require-ments and Test Procedures for Materials in Environments that
Support Combustion, February 1998.

**5.0 [MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS]{.underline}**

The ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and Scotchgard 4101 or 4101W shall be
used within the shelf life that is listed for each product. The ammonium
dihydrogen phosphate is GFS Chemicals P/N 13231 or P/N 13232. Scotchgard
4101W is a 3M product that may no longer be available. 3M has indicated
that the replacement product is Scotchgard 4101 and it has been screened
at White Sands Test Facility for flammability and toxicity.

**6.0 [PROCESS REQUIREMENTS]{.underline}**

**6.1 PRE-TREATMENT PREPARATION**

The surfaces of the fabric or webbing to be chemically treated shall be
clean and dry prior to beginning the flame treatment process.

**6.2 FLAME RETARDANT TREATMENT PROCESS SUMMARY**

The fabric or webbing to be treated is immersed in an ammonium
dihydrogen phosphate solution (6-7 oz by weight with 1 gallon deionized
water) for 30 minutes. Do not rinse. Allow material to dry for a minimum
of 24 hours. Apply 2 coats of the Scotchgard 4101 or 4101W to each side
of the fabric or webbing.

**7.0 [PROCESS QUALIFICATION]{.underline}**

The flame retardant treatment process described in section 6.2 has
already been qualified for flammability resistance. Any new formulation
must be qualified such that it will pass the NASA-STD-6001 Test 1
flammability test.

**8.0 [PROCESS VERIFICATION]{.underline}**

When visually examined in its finished form, the appearance of the flame
retardant coating shall be uniform and free of contamination,
crystalline residue, streaking or other surface irregularities.

**9.0 [TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL]{.underline}**

All flame retardant treatment operations shall be performed by personnel
who have received on-the-job training for this process. No formal
qualification or certification of employees is required.

**10.0 [DEFINITIONS]{.underline}**

Flame retardant The condition of a fabric or webbing that has been
treated in order to reduce its flammability.