Laboratory Information:
Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility
15 Kansas St.
NCTRF/Building 86
Natick, MA 01760-5015
Website: https://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/nexcom/prod_serv/nctrf
Agency/Department: Dept. of Defense - Navy
Region: Northeast
FLC Laboratory Representative:
Ms. Rosemary Salem
Phone: 508-233-1308
Fax: 508-233-4783
Email: rsalem@nctrf.natick.army.mil
Background/History of the Laboratory:
The Navy
Clothing and Textile Research Facility (NCTRF), located in
Natick, MA, is a government owned and operated laboratory
that provides the US Navy Sailor with advanced
technological solutions to their clothing and equipment
needs. NCTRF’s team of textile technologists,
clothing designers, scientists and engineers design and
develop dress uniforms, working uniforms, and protective
clothing worn by Navy personnel. The team conducts
research, development, test and evaluation, and engineering
support of materials and clothing systems to provide the
Sailor with advanced ensembles that protect against threats
such as fire and steam, heat and cold stress, ballistic
impact, water immersion, and chemical agents. NCTRF also provides
technical support to the Defense Logistics Agency –
Troop Support and the Navy Exchange Command throughout the
procurement process and the life cycle of clothing and
textile items.
NCTRF
employs 32 civilians as part of the Naval Supply Systems
Command (NAVSUP) and is co-located at the U.S. Army Natick
Soldier System Center, 20 miles west of Boston. In addition to NAVSUP,
NCTRF conducts uniform and protective clothing RDT&E
for other Navy Commands, other military services, and other
government agencies.
Mission of the Laboratory:
To maximize the Quality of Life for Navy
Sailors through uniform and protective clothing development
and sustainment.
Facilities:
NCTRF’s Clothing and Armor Design Laboratory is fully
equipped with Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools and state of
the art industrial sewing equipment. Extensive fiber and
material testing and analysis is conducted In the Textile
Performance Laboratory, including durability, breathability,
color measurement and retention, soil release, cut
resistance, and water repellency. The effects of thermal
energy, such as heat, direct flame, and steam, are also
evaluated to predict potential burn injury. In the Biophysical
Laboratory, NCTRF scientists and engineers conduct
evaluations utilizing instrumented manikins within controlled
climatic chambers to evaluate materials, garments, footwear,
gloves and mittens, helmets, personal heating or cooling
systems, and sleeping bags to predict performance in a
variety of work/clothing/environment scenarios. Studies to determine the
effects of water immersion in both standing and moving water
are conducted in the unique Hydro-Environmental Chamber with
Wave Generator.
Technology Transfer Mechanisms:
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)
- Facility Sharing
- Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- Technical Assistance
- Work For Others
Technology Areas of Expertise:
- Color Measurement of Textile Materials
- Computer Aided Design
- Flame/Thermal Assessment (Bench Top and Full Scale)
- Heat and Cold Stress Assessment in Air and Water Immersion Scenarios, utilizing Instrumented Manikins (Full Body, Head, Hand, or Foot)
- Textile Performance Evaluation and Analysis
- Uniform and Protective Clothing RDT&E
