Nomex® Thermal Solutions for Military
Nomex® fibre used in personal protective clothing helps respond to a wide variety of military end uses.
Submarine crews and marine sailors, infantry troops, MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle crews, deminers, paramedics and logistic staff, they have all found reliable and trusted solutions in the garments made of Nomex® fibre, whether their hazards are flash fire, fire, explosion, electrical arc, molten metal splashes, static discharge or chemical repellence.
Nomex® – the fibre that reacts in a crisis
Nomex® is an inherently flame-resistant, high-temperature-resistant meta-aramid fibre that doesn’t melt and drip or support combustion in the air. A key factor in the protection provided by Nomex® fibre is its ability to carbonise and thicken when exposed to intense heat, which increases the protective barrier between the heat source and the skin and helps minimise burn injury. As this thermal behaviour is obtained by its molecular structure and not by applying a flame retardant chemical substance to the fabric, yarn, fibre or polymer, Nomex® offers permanent protection, which cannot be washed out or worn away.
Nomex® solutions offer inherent and durable heat resistance:
- They do not continue to burn when the flame is removed and they do not melt
- They do not generate toxic or irritating fumes when exposed to heat and flame
- They are resistant to a wide range of chemicals
- They are abrasion-, tear- and wear-resistant for long wear-life
- They are comfortable, due to the transportation of moisture along the fibre by capillary action
Comfort and appearance
Three basic characteristics have an impact on a wearer’s comfort: garment weight, antistatic properties, and moisture management. Garments made of Nomex® can help offer better results for all of them.
Fabrics from Nomex® are soft, lightweight, behave like a traditional textile fabric and are therefore extremely comfortable to wear. DuPont offers design assistance so that protective garments can be attractive and comfortable, whilst still addressing stringent protection standards.
Durability, ease of care and life cycle cost
The cost effectiveness of the purchase of protective clothing is influenced by three factors: durability, ease of care and life cycle cost.
Fabrics made of Nomex® fibre can maintain their dimensional stability and appearance better than FRT (flame retardant treated) cotton and cotton blended fabrics.
Garments made of Nomex® fibre are suitable for home or industrial laundering and dry-cleaning, have a wrinkle free appearance and do not require ironing after washing.
The purchase price of a garment made of Nomex® fibres can be offset against the higher average number of washings that the garment can undergo during its lifetime.
Explore the different types of Nomex® solutions for military forces:
SUB PRODUCTS
Product Data Sheets
Product Specification(2)
CASE STUDIES
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Seyntex Multi-Threat Protection
Seyntex, a leading Belgian textile manufacturer, recently won a tender in Denmark with its protective garments using the Nomex® MTP fibres.
INFORMATION & IDEAS
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Nomex® & the Thermo-Man® Test
DuPont™ Thermo-Man® is a life-size mannequin equipped with 122 heat sensors dressed in test garments and exposed to a flash fire with temperatures rising up to 1,000°C.
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Nomex® for Heat Stress Protection
Heat stress is a dangerous condition in any situation, but for firefighters it can be especially life threatening. In fact, heat stress is the number-one cause of casualties among firefighters. Nomex® fibre helps reduce heat stress due to its higher air permeability.
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Nomex® for Lower Wear-Life Cost
Today’s firefighters need to be able to optimise budget vs. performance, without compromising on safety. For decades DuPont™ Nomex® fibre has demonstrated lasting protective performance, while helping to minimise repair and maintenance costs.
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Nomex® for Performance Durability
Garments made of Nomex® fibre have helped protect firefighters for decades. Continuous exhaustive testing proves that they excel in the long-term retention of their heat and flame protective qualities.
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Nomex® Garment Weight Benefits
Typical protective fabrics made of Nomex® fibres can be up to 40% lighter than cotton and cotton-blended fabrics which were treated with flame-retardant chemicals.
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Cost Effectiveness of Nomex®
DuPont™ Nomex® fibre is a highly cost-effective solution in terms of cost per wear thanks to its exceptional durability.
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Nomex® Moisture Management Benefits
Fabrics and garments made of DuPont™ Nomex® help enable light-weight solutions with excellent moisture management.
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Electric Static Discharge Protection Nomex®
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can lead to the generation of sparks with energy levels sufficient to ignite possible surrounding vapours, aerosols of flammable liquids or dust particles, leading to an explosion.
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Chemical Splash Protection Nomex®
Chemical hazards can occur in conjunction with thermal hazards, such as accidental splashes of chemical products onto protective clothing, or through leakages of chemical products.
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DuPont™ Nomex® Partner Program
The DuPont™ Nomex® Partner Program is the answer to those in Europe who seek innovative protective solutions from a trusted value chain. DuPont™ Nomex® Partners, identified with the Nomex® Partner seal, are carefully selected for their commitment to ethical principles, strong quality and innovation orientation, and detailed knowledge of end user needs.
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Nomex® & Thermal Protection Performance Test
The Thermal Protection Performance Test measures the thermal protection level of a fabric.
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Nomex® for Extra Seconds of Safety
Extensive testing shows that Nomex® fibre has remarkably low heat transfer. Under flash fire conditions, it helps provide firefighters valuable extra seconds of safety when they’re needed most.
USES AND APPLICATIONS
INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
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Military Protection
DuPont has over two centuries of experience in providing military forces with critical materials. Our cutting edge technologies and materials continue to help provide leading edge protection for military personnel all over the world including military armour made with DuPont™ Kevlar® fibre.