FIREMAN

CLOTH
The Materials
Behind It

Biomaterial Engineering
Group IP #5
31 October 2012

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

Kevlar
Aka Poly-para-phenylene

terephthalamide
Para-amid (aromatic
polyamide) synthetic
fiber polymer
Created by Stephanie
Kwolek in 1965 at
DuPont
Synthesized in solution
from 1,4-phenylenediamine and
terephthaloyl chloride in
condensation reaction

[-CO-C6H4-CO-NH-C6H4-NH-]n

Kevlar
Characteristics

Strong but relatively light (tensile strength: 3620 Mpa)

Specific gravity: 1.45
Does not melt like usual plastic
Decomposes only at about 450C
Cryogenically stronger strongest at -196C
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

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

Nomex
Aka Poly-meta-

phenylene
isophthalamide
Meta-amid (aromatic
polyamide) synthetic
fiber polymer
Created by Dr Wilfred
Sweeny in 1967 at
DuPont
Synthesized from 1,3diamonobenzene and
isophthaloyl chloride in
condensation reaction

[-CO-C6H4-CO-NH-C6H4-NH-]n

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

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

Polybenzimidazole
Aka PBI
Synthetic fiber polymer
Synthesized from

3,3,4,4tetraaminobiphenyl and
diphenyl isophthaloyl in
step-growthreaction

(C20N4H12)n

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

Polybenzimidazole
Other Applications:

Aircraft wall fabric

High temperature protective gloves
Welders apparel

Braided packing