FIREMAN

CLOTH

Biomaterial Engineering

Group IP #5

31 October 2012

The Materials

Behind It

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-phenylene-

diamine 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 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

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 1,3-

diamonobenzene and

isophthaloyl chloride in

condensation reaction

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

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 ©

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’,4,4’-

tetraaminobiphenyl and

diphenyl isophthaloyl in

step-growthreaction

(C20N4H12)n

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

Welder’s apparel

Braided packing

Polybenzimidazole