EVALUATION OF A NEW CLASS OF RIGID FOAMS FOR ACCESS DELAY

Rigid foams have many security applications: instant deployable barriers, corridor blocker, manhole filler, and man-portable mine. Physical protection of valuable assets relies on a combination of robust physical barriers, access controls, detection systems, and protective forces. Rigid structural foams show promise for access delay applications where a deterrent is required to protect sensitive areas, equipment, and materials. They can be effectively deployed as nonlethal delay elements to rapidly fill a volume, entomb a valuable asset, or create a deployable barrier. The chief advantage of rigid foams over sticky foam is that they do not significantly collapse over short time periods. Recent tests evaluated the dispensing characteristics of a single-container rigid foam at fieldapplication scales (5500 cc). Prior to these tests, only small, laboratory-scale (50 to 150 cc) tests had been evaluated. The current tests evaluated the viability of dispensing the foam by rapidly bursting a thin-walled pressurized cylinder. Variables evaluated were 1) the gas over pressure and 2) deployment with or without deterrents. Results of these tests will be presented at the conference.