Protective Solutions for Defence Manufacturing

Challenges and Risks
Advantages of DuPont Protective Garments
Product Solutions
Resources

Challenges and Risks

Emerging trends signal a shift towards a more digital, automated, and interconnected manufacturing process in the defence industry. By adopting these technologies, manufacturers can stay ahead of the competition and meet the industry’s growing demands. However, integrating these technologies requires a strategic approach to ensure non-automated steps do not become quality or safety issues.

The modern workplace presents multiple hazards, including chemical permeation risks, heat stress, mechanical and electrostatic hazards and high disposal costs, emphasizing the need to balance protection with comfort and durability. For example, defence manufacturing operators may be exposed to aggressive and corrosive chemicals, paint, toxic particulates, heat stress and high friction. This combination of hazards must be addressed when selecting personal protective equipment to ensure both protection that is compliant with the EN standards and wearability.

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) , exposure to hazardous substances claims the lives of almost 1 million workers every year. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays a critical role in safeguarding the wearer while offering comfort during daily tasks, which are essential for maintaining the highest quality and productivity.

Chemical Protective clothing with superior protection against liquid chemicals, hazardous particles and antistatic properties, as well as comfort, is crucial in defense manufacturing environments.

Inadequate or uncomfortable PPE not only poses safety risks but could also hinder precision of tasks because of workers’ fatigue resulting in compromised quality and increased operational costs. Investing in high-quality PPE enhances overall workplace safety, ensures regulatory compliance, and supports operational efficiency, contributing to the optimization of work processes.

Advantages of DuPont Protective Garments

DuPont garments are trusted by major defence manufacturers to provide safe, smart, and comfortable protection during various applications such as surface treatment, paint, composites work, propellant handling, and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul).

DuPont™ Tyvek® garments offer all-in-one performance by providing exceptional protection, durability, and comfort, making them a premier choice for PPE in the defence industry. Designed to endure the demands of environments where the garments are subject to frequent and intense use, these garments offer the protection against many chemical splashes, and hazardous particles.

DuPont™ Tychem® garments, designed to provide protection against a wide range of chemical hazards, can be particularly useful in the defence manufacturing industry for strong chemical permeation resistance needs against hazardous liquids even under pressure, such as corrosives, solvents, isocyanates, toxic particulates, and fuels/oxidizers

Superior protection & compliance

Tyvek® fabric offers an exceptional inherent barrier against particles as small as 1 micron. Unlike many other protective materials, Tyvek® has its protective qualities built directly into the fabric. This means that they cannot be compromised by scratches.

Tyvek® combines CE-certified protection against defence manufacturing-specific hazards, such as chemical splashes, hazardous particles, and anti-static requirements.

Tychem® garments offer high chemical barrier with permeation data available for over 250 chemicals, including corrosives, solvents, isocyanates, toxic particulates, and fuels/oxidizers.

Unmatched durability

Inadequate durability can:

jeopardize the quality, especially during process-sensitive tasks such as painting.
lead to contamination, rework, and compromised product integrity.

Tyvek® garments are designed to offer exceptional durability, and continue to provide protection throughout their use. Unlike many alternatives, Tyvek® fabric is free of films or laminates that can be worn away or damaged over time, making it an ideal choice for demanding work environments.

Evaluating Particle Inward Leakage of Type 5 Chemical Protective Clothing

Tyvek® beats out the competition in the ultimate paintball

Optimum wearer comfort

Comfort is often considered a compromise at the expense of adequate chemical protection. This might lead to layered solutions that cause heat stress and limited wearability, making them not ergonomic for the wearers and hindering precision of tasks expected from operators. When workers are uncomfortable in their coverall, their precision and productivity may decline, resulting in compromised quality and increased operational costs.

Tyvek® garments, with their comfort-fit design, are all about providing the durability and protection you expect while offering an even more comfortable fit. Their inherent barrier can withhold particles while still allowing air to flow freely through the fabric

Waste reduction and cost savings

Tyvek^® garments are typically 20% up to 50% lighter than microporous films (MPF) and SMS garments, which can mean less weight and, therefore, lower costs associated with waste disposal. In addition, its outstanding mechanical performance may contribute to lower turnover rates.

DuPont™ Tyvek® Water resistance & Breathability

Product Solutions

DuPont offers a comprehensive range of suits and accessories designed to effectively support operators in tasks like surface treatment, paint, composites work, and propellant handling, and MRO.

For assistance in selecting an ideal garment and identifying a suitable solution, you can also use the SafeSPEC™ Assistant located in the bottom right corner of the page, or you can contact us.