Advance is the trade id of Southern Mills' Kevlar 60%/Nomex 40% product, please see
that product discussion in our catalog.
Barrage is the trade id of
Southern Mills' Basofil product, please see that product discussion in our
catalog.
Basofil products being marketed in the fire service (ours and competitors)
are actually an engineered blend of 40% Basofil and 60% Kevlar. This outer shell
offers exceptional heat blocking characteristics across a range of heat fluxes and
thus will often allow the use of lighter liner systems. Basofil also appears to
be exceptionally durable and comfortable. Basofil, however, does not offer all the advantages of the premium outer shells (PBI and PBO). Additionally, some competitive
fiber providers have raised the issue of formaldehyde off-gassing with Basofil.
The third party testing and research we have seen indicate this is NOT a valid concern.
Basofil is an intermediately priced product, and we believe is among the best of
those intermediate products. Basofil is available for quick delivery in our Custom
Stock Program.
Brigade is the trade id of Difco's Nomex IIIa, please see that product discussion
in our catalog.
Crusader is the trade id of Difco's Kevlar 60%/Nomex 40% product, please
see that product description. To specify Crusader, order 54xx model numbers and
note "Difco's Crusader Kevlar 60%/Nomex 40% only".
Defender is the trade id of
Southern Mills' Nomex IIIa, please see that product discussion in our catalog.
Fusion is the trade id of Safety Component Technologies ("SCT") Kevlar 60%/Nomex
40% product, please see that product discussion in our catalog.
Gemini Matrix is the trademark id of Southern Mills' PBI Matrix, please see that product discussion
in our catalog.
Guardian is the trade id of Difco's PBI, please see that product discussion
in our catalog.
Gladiator is the trade id of Difco's Basofil, please see that product discussion
in our catalog.
Kevlar 60%/Nomex 40% - This Kevlar Nomex blend product is probably the most
durable outer shell and offers 300% improvement in char length over Nomex IIIa outer
shells. Kevlar/Nomex stays flexible and supple, maintaining it's integrity after
moderately severe thermal exposure. While Kevlar/Nomex is a superior product to
Nomex, customers are cautioned that the premium outer shells (PBI and PBO) offer
strong comparative advantages. Kevlar/Nomex should be considered a Nomex upgrade
rather than a PBI/PBO equivalent. Nomex/Kevlar is priced between Nomex and the premium
shell alternatives. We believe Kevlar/Nomex is one of the best of the new products
positioned between the premium shells and Nomex with very good comfort and durability
characteristics. Kevlar/Nomex is our recommendation for knee and/or pocket reinforcements;
it wears like iron. Kevlar/Nomex is also now available with an enhanced water repellency
treatment and in a choice of weights and pics. The Kevlar/Nomex product has traditionally
been available as a three pic (three strands form the rip stop box). But two pic
cloth is also available now. While three pic rip stop should be more durable than
two pic, the two pic product here is an ounce heavier so that should compensate.
Two pic products will generally be more supple and less likely to become nappy or
fuzzy with wear (one less thread strand 'presented' for abrasion in the box weave).
Kevlar 60%/Nomex 40% is available for quick delivery in our Custom Stock Program.
Kombat is the trade id of Southern Mills' PBI, please see that product discussion
in our catalog.
Millenia is the trade id of
Southern Mills' PBO product (40% Zylon/60% Technora). Please see PBO product
discussion in our catalog.
Nomex IIIa (not to be confused with Nomex Omega, a separate product discussed
separately here) products being marketed in the fire service (ours and our competitors)
are actually an engineered blend of 93% Nomex, 5% Kevlar and 2% Carbon anti stat.
Nomex IIIa is the most economical of the available outer shells. Nomex will not
melt, drip or char at temperatures up to 700-750 degrees F. It is also a durable
and long-wearing material. Nomex is available in three weights (6 oz . 7 oz, &
7.5 oz) and three weaves (rip stop, twill and duck). The 7.5 oz duck weave outer
shell is the Nomex material which the market is most familiar with, the other Nomex
product offerings are newer materials. Nomex IIIa is also now available with enhanced
water repellency finishes. Nomex IIIa is available for quick delivery in our Custom
Stock Program.
Omni 45 is the trade id of Amatex Norfab's Basofil, please see that product
discussion in our catalog.
PBI Gold Plus is the trade id of SCT's PBI, please see PBI product discussion
in our catalog.
PBI products being marketed in the fire service (ours and our competitors)
are actually an engineered blend of 40% PBI and 60% Kevlar. PBI has distinguished
itself in some of the most active metro departments. The fabric was initially developed
as part of the Project FIRES effort to provide non-charring protection at temperatures
above Nomex's capabilities (approximately 750 degrees F). While Nomex remains an
effective insulator charred, it can break away with movement and in the event of
a continued or secondary exposure could allow a potentially serious breach in the
protective envelope. PBI, in contrast, will resist charring up to temperatures that
exceed the firefighters biological capabilities. Only PBO offers better anti char
performance than PBI. PBI is available in three weights (6.0 oz. 7 oz. & 7.5
oz.). PBI is available in two weaves (rip stop and twill). PBI is also now available
with enhanced waterproofing. The 7.5 oz rip stop product is available in Black and
dying the natural bronze color seems to dramatically reduce UV degradation problems
and to improve durability. In our opinion, the PBI outer shell (especially in Black)
is one of the most preferred and high performing outer shell products.
PBI - Both Black & Bronze PBI is available for quick delivery in our Custom
Stock Program.
PBI Matrix products being marketed in the fire service are an engineered
blend of PBI and Kevlar® with the addition of Kevlar® cables into the weaving of
the cloth. In our opinion, the biggest advantage of the addition of these cables
is an improvement in fabric strength after ultraviolet light exposure for undyed
bronze cloth. The Gemini Matrix uses a 400 denier Kevlar® cable and the SCT Matrix
uses a heavier 600 denier Kevlar® cable. Both materials are visually distinguishable
from traditional PBI, and to a lesser extent, from each other.
PBO products being marketed in the fire service (ours and our competitors)
are actually an engineered blend of 40% Zylon and 60% Technora. PBO is the newest
of the premium outer shells, being commercialized only in early 2000. PBO performs
most like PBI but offers comparatively higher Taber abrasion test results (which
should translate into better durability), lower water absorption tendencies, higher
tear strength and better anti char characteristics (but PBI already offers such
high anti char resistance that this latter point may be of suspect value). In fact,
PBO offers the best performance in Taber abrasion resistance testing when compared
to any other commercially available outer shell fabric. PBO also offers the highest
strength retention and thermal stability after thermal exposure when compared to
any other commercially available outer shell fabric. PBO as initially offered was
somewhat stiff but Southern Mills (currently the only source for PBO under their
trade id "Millenia") has done much and continues to work to soften the hand of the product. Contact your area director, if you wish to arrange field tests or see material
samples on this new (or any other current) offering.
SCT Matrix is the trademark id of SCT's PBI Matrix, please see that product
discussion in our catalog.
Turtle Skin is the trade id of Warrick Mill's tri-blend PBI/Twaron/FR Rayon,
please see PBI/Twaron/FR Rayon product discussion in our catalog.
|