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News Release

Protection in Action with DuPont™ Nomex® 3DP Fabric - Dupont's Highest Level of Protection for Firefighters

The DuPont™ Nomex® 3DP outer shell fabric comprises two layers of fabric woven together using an intelligent weaving structure patented by DuPont. The inner layer consists of DuPont™ Kevlar® with an outer layer of DuPont™ Nomex®. With different thermal shrinkage patterns, each layer reacts differently to heat flux, triggering increased levels of insulation. When a heat flux hits the outer layer of DuPont™ Nomex® the fibre reacts and thickens to increase the insulation barrier while the inner layer of DuPont™ Kevlar® offers high mechanical strength, providing three-dimensional protection and giving extra seconds of safety.
The intelligent weaving structure from Nomex® 3DP creates a garment that is breathable, comfortable and flexible. It optimises durability and mechanical strength to provide longer wear-life and lower repair and replacement costs, while retaining excellent aesthetics in use.
Turnout gear made with the new Nomex® 3DP fabric underwent an extensive 12 month wear trial, across fire brigades in three countries. Mr Hans Wetzel, Senior Fire Officer of the Reutlingen Fire Brigade in Germany, explained: “We participated in the trial of a garment made with the DuPont™ Nomex® 3DP outer shell and were thoroughly impressed. We tested it to its limits, including laundering processes, various exercises and wood fire container tests. The garment and the outershell were comfortable to wear and the heat protection was excellent. We wouldn’t hesitate to wear this garment in any fire fighting situation.”
Frederique Favier, Application Development Leader Nomex® Personal Protection, commented: “Through our long-standing partnerships with fire and rescue services around the world, we understand the need to provide cost-effective, comfortable and hard wearing turnout gear that provides the highest levels of protection. In developing the Nomex® 3DP outer shell fabric we worked with firefighters to find a solution that would keep the wearer safe and comfortable. In conjunction with the wear trials, we also tested garments made from Nomex® 3DP using DuPont™ Thermo-Man®, one of the most advanced thermal burn injury evaluation devices in the world. The results showed that Nomex® 3DP provides excellent protection with very low burn rates, increasing the time available for firefighters to make a safe escape.”
Since its invention in the 1950s, Nomex® fibre from DuPont has protected millions of people worldwide. It is a world-leading, inherently flame-resistant and breathable fibre that is woven into fabric. 


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