Common and basic materials used in making fireman clothing

1. FIREMAN
CLOTH
The Materials
Behind It
Biomaterial Engineering
Group IP #5
31 October 2012

2. THE FULL CLOTHING OF A FIREMAN
1. Hood 4. Insulated pants 5. Boots 6. Helmet 7. Goggle 11. Insulated leather gloves
12. Insulated coat 13. Positive-pressure mask 14. Respirator

3. Kevlar ©
 Aka Poly-para-phenylene
terephthalamide
 Para-amid (aromatic
polyamide) synthetic
fiber polymer
 Created by Stephanie
[-CO-C6H4-CO-NH-C6H4-NH-]n
Kwolek in 1965 at
DuPont
 Synthesized in solution
from 1,4-phenylene-
diamine and
terephthaloyl chloride in
condensation reaction

4. Kevlar ©
 Characteristics
 Strong but relatively light (tensile strength: 3620 Mpa)
 Specific gravity: 1.45
 Does not melt like usual plastic
 Decomposes only at about 450°C
 “Cryogenically stronger” – strongest at -196°C
 Resists attacks from acid, base and chemicals (long exposure
will degrades)
 Long exposure to UV causes degradation
 Properties unaffected by water
 Can be ignited but can be put out quite easily

5. Kevlar ©
 Other Applications:
 Cryogenic study
 Armor, helmets, ballistic
face masks, bullet vest
 Parts and components of
bicycle and canoe
 Motorcyclist safety
clothing
 Nike shoe and socks >>
Elite II series
 Batman suits

6. Nomex ©
 Aka Poly-meta-
phenylene
isophthalamide
 Meta-amid (aromatic
polyamide) synthetic
fiber polymer
 Created by Dr Wilfred [-CO-C6H4-CO-NH-C6H4-NH-]n
Sweeny in 1967 at
DuPont
 Synthesized from 1,3-
diamonobenzene and
isophthaloyl chloride in
condensation reaction

7. Nomex ©
 Characteristics
 Tough, woven structure that is strong and light (slightly lower
than Kevlar)
 Specific gravity: 1.38
 High heat resistant and poor electricity conductor
 Does not melt at high temperature
 Resists attacks from acid, base and chemicals (better than
Kevlar)
 Better resistance against UV light
 Does not react with water
 Can be ignited but can be put out easily

8. Nomex ©
 Other Applications:
 Fire and heat barrier suits for
astronauts and racing drivers
 Electrical insulator for electrical
equipments like motor, generator
and transformer
 Honeycomb-structured paper

9. Polybenzimidazole
 Aka PBI
 Synthetic fiber polymer
 Synthesized from
3,3’,4,4’-
tetraaminobiphenyl and
diphenyl isophthaloyl in (C20N4H12)n
step-growthreaction

10. Polybenzimidazole
 Characteristics
 Strong and light (but lower than Kevlar and Nomex)
 Tensile strength: 160 MPa
 Specific gravity: 1.30
 High heat resistant and low electricity conductor
 Mildly resist attacks from acid, base and chemicals
 Better resistance against UV light than Kevlar and Nomex
 Does not react with water
 Does not readily ignite

11. Polybenzimidazole
 Other Applications:
 Aircraft wall fabric
 High temperature protective gloves
 Welder’s apparel
 Braided packing