Fowler Associates Labs

Intercept Material Considered Impressive by Recent Study

Press Release

In a TARDEC Competition Newsletter, Vol. III, Spring 2001, from the Competition and Commercial Items Advocate:

The TACOM-ARDEC Packaging and Engineering Support Division AMSTA-AR-WEP, initiated a feasibility study to search for commercially available alternative corrosion protective barrier materials for military packaging. The current fielded barrier materials being used are made to a military specification MIL-B-131. The Packaging and Engineering Support Division conducted market research and found a number of alternative barrier materials, the most impressive of which was the Intercept material developed by Lucent Technologies. ARDEC then developed an extensive test plan to compare these alternative materials against various parameters. The tests are still in progress but ARDEC’s preliminary evaluation indicates that the Intercept material is equal to the MIL-B-131 and VCI wraps in strength and corrosion inhibition. Although the cost of Intercept is higher, it becomes cost effective when compared with a complete packaging consisting of both MIL-B-131 and VCI wraps. Additionally, Intercept can protect packages without being sealed. It has the added advantages of being reusable, is non-hazardous and environmentally friendly. ARDEC plans to issue a final report, which will include a cost-benefit analysis, in the 4QFY01.

Reference: email from Joyce Allen. XOESO dtd 6/7/01. Author is Samir K. Sarkar, DSN 880-4926, Picatinny Arsenal. POC at ARDEC is Fred Schumann, DSN 880-4493.

Note that Intercept’s ESD properties are compounded with its anti-corrosive properties. And with the addition of a co-extruded Intercept Shrinkfilm the price has been reduced.

For more information, please contact:
Randy Dutton
VP FPM Inc.
http://www.shrinkwrapping.com
Irvine, CA office
Telephone 01-949-726-9049
E-mail: randydutton@home.com