NOMEX POLYARAMID

INTRODUCTION
Discovered:

1958, by P.W. Morgan (Du Pont).

Commercialized: 1967, in fiber form, by Du Pont.

Key properties:

Very good thermal resistance

Essentially flameproof in fabric form. Good

resistance to organic solvents (because of
crystallinity) but attacked and hydrolysed by strong
acids and bases, especially at high temperatures.
Excellent dimensional stability. Rated for
continuous use in electrical applications (several
thousand hours) at 200 deg.C. Very much higher
resistance to radiation than aliphatic polyamides.

Applications Overview

Because of its excellent physical and thermal

properties. NOMEX brand fiber is used in a
wide variety of applications, including
industrial coated fabrics,ironingor pressingmachine covers, rubber hose reinforcement,
felt scrims, and the three leading Applications:
Thermal Protective Apparel, Filtration and
Thermal-resistant furnishings.

NOMEX APPLICATIONS FOR MILITARY FORCES

With over 40 years experience in the personal protection sector,

DuPont offers a wide range of proven, science-based solutions
such as KevlaNomex fibers are used across a broad range of applications.
It is a critical component in protective apparel and accessories as
used by fire fighters; police officers; first responders; civil rescue
teams; civilian, police and military pilots; military sailors and ground
forces all over the world. Nomex protects the wearer from the
flames and the intense heat those forces may encounter. It offers
superior thermal insulation, durability and freedom of movement's
and Nomex

PROTECTING OUR PROTECTORS

AGAINST THERMAL HAZARDS
NOMEX USED IN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING RESPONDS TO A
WIDE VARIETY OF MILITARY END USES. FROM SUBMARINE CREW AND
MARINE SAILORS TO INFANTRY TROOPS, MRAP VEHICLE CREW, DEMINERS,
PARAMEDICS AND LOGISTIC STAFF, THEY HAVE FOUND RELIABLE AND TRUSTED
SOLUTIONS IN THE NOMEX GARMENTS, WHETHER THEIR HAZARDS ARE
FLASH FIRE, FIRE, EXPLOSION, ELECTRICAL ARC, MOLTEN METAL SPLASHES,
STATIC DISCHARGE, CHEMICAL REPELLENCE OR LOW VISIBILITY.

The NOMEX fiber helps to reduce burn

injury in three ways:
1. The fiber itself absorbs heat energy during
the carbonization process.
2. The fiber swells and seals openings in the
fabric, decreasing air movement and the
associated convective heat transfer.
3. Both the fiber and the fabric thicken,
increasing the insulative barrier and
reducing conductive heat transfer.

Before Exposure

During Exposure

After Exposure

Industrial Applications

Occupational Safety and Health

Administration regulations, American Society
for Testing and Materials standards and
corporate safety guidelines drive adoption of
flame-resistant clothing for worker protection
where a flash fire or electric arc hazard is
identified. Chemical, petrochemical and utility
workers wear clothing of NOMEX

Filtration Applications
Filter bags of NOMEX are the industry
leader in asphalt manufacturing facilities, as
well as a variety of other applications. Filter
bags of NOMEX permit these facilities to
operate at higher temperatures, which
significantly improves capacity, lowers power
costs and eliminates condensation.

WHY NOMEX?
Nomex is an inherently flame-resistant,
high-temperature resistant meta- aramid
fiber that doesnt melt and drip or support
combustion in the air. A key factor in the
protection provided by Nomex is its ability to
carbonize and thicken when exposed to intense
heat.
This typical reaction increases the protective
barrier between the heat source and the
wearers skin and minimizes burn injury,
almost comparable to the way a modern car
protects its occupants with air-bags.

Nomex derives its flame resistant properties

from its unique structure of aromatic
rings and conjugated amide bonds. As
this thermal behavior is obtained by its
molecular structure and not by applying a
flame retardant chemical substance to the
fabric, yarn, fiber or polymer. Nomex offers
permanent protection, which cannot be
washed out or worn away. Fabrics from
Nomex are soft, lightweight, behave like a
traditional textile fabric and are therefore
extremely comfortable to wear.
The absence of any flame retardant chemical
substance reduces substantially the amount of
smoke and chemical gasses created
in case of fire enabling military forces to keep
a clear eye on the dangerous environment they
are in,and reduce the risk of lungs irritation.

Chemical Resistance

In general, NOMEX fiber exhibits very good

resistance to many chemicals. It is highly
resistant to most hydrocarbons and organic
solvents. Chemical resistance during exposure
in use and to chemicals and solvents used in
cleaning contributes to the excellent durability
and wear life of garments of NOMEX

UV Light

Like other natural and synthetic textile

materials, most types of NOMEX are
impacted by prolonged exposure
to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from both
sunlight and artificial light sources.

NOMEX THE FIBER THAT

REACTS IN A CRISIS
Durable performance + great value for money
Outer shell fabrics from Nomex brand fiber wash well, are extremely
hard wearing and resistant to tear over their wear life. On a longer term
comparative cost basis Nomex actually helps to reduce clothing budgets.

When you see the Nomex labels and tags, its an immediate
assurance that the performance of the outer shell fabric and the
multilayer garment constructions surpass all regional and country
specific norms for heat and flame protection.