PBI vs. Nomex
James Charles & Kathleen Ann Remington Jr.
MFN45 wrote:
>
> The fire company I run with in suburban Philiadelphia is still using Nomex
> gear. I am trying to convince the hire authority to consider other types i.e.
> pbi.
> Could anyone give me info. on the differences between PBI & Nomex. I would
> like to know the pro's and Con's for PBI and would like to know if PBI better
> than Nomex. I know that PBI is more expensive than nomex, i would like to know
> how much more and if ith higher cost is worth the price.
> thank you
> J.D.
While reviewing the many messages that come across the screen from
this network I seek input to some that may interest me.
I'm a past Fire Chief, fire fighter for 16/17 + - years,
EMT / Ambulance attentant way to long 14 + - years....
I forwarded the question about PBI -vs- Nomex to a long time FF/EMT
Past Chief etc...Whom also is on the N.F.P.A. Tech. Committee
His comments are as follows,
Nomex "WILL" burn, it is fire resistive.
Kevlar will not burn nor char. Kevlar retains it's fire resistives
qualities longer then nomex.
Kevlar is more subsecible to "ULTRA-VIOLET" deterioiation then nomex.
I hope these comments are of use....Jim Remington EMT/FF
Larry Kaplan
James Charles & Kathleen Ann Remington Jr. wrote:
>
> MFN45 wrote:
> >
> > The fire company I run with in suburban Philiadelphia is still using Nomex
> > gear. I am trying to convince the hire authority to consider other types
i.e.
> > pbi.
> > Could anyone give me info. on the differences between PBI & Nomex. I would
> > like to know the pro's and Con's for PBI and would like to know if PBI
better
> > than Nomex. I know that PBI is more expensive than nomex, i would like to
know
> > how much more and if ith higher cost is worth the price.
> > thank you
> > J.D.
>
exceptional thermal resistance of Pbi fiber with the tough durability of
Kevlar. Pbi/Kevlar can stand up to higher thermal exposers.
If you were to hold a flame onto Nomex swatch for appx. 10 seconds the
fiber would become completely discolored and brittle. Pbi/Kevlar would
not become brittle under the same situation.
The higher thermal resistance of Pbi/Kevlar would be most beneficial in
a flashover. It could possibly offer the firefighter the extra margin to
escape safely.
Another fiber to consider is Advance fabric, which is a
60%Nomex/40%Kevlar blend. It has a greater thermal resistance than
straight Nomex.
You may want to contact your local fire equipment distributor for
technical data on all three fabrics. If you are unable to find the data
locally I will be happy to get it for you.
Good Luck/Larry
Jon
James Charles & Kathleen Ann Remington Jr. wrote in >Past Chief etc...Whom
also is on the N.F.P.A. Tech. Committee
>His comments are as follows,
>Nomex "WILL" burn, it is fire resistive.
>Kevlar will not burn nor char. Kevlar retains it's fire resistives
>qualities longer then nomex.
How can something that is inherently flame resistive retain it's qualities
longer/shorter??? Either it is or isn't inherently FR... right?
Besides PBI and Nomex, there's also Advance, blends, and Dupont's new Omegae
integrated system......
Jon Kavanagh
Tom
Jon <jk...@customnet.com> wrote in article <6h6cke$i10$1...@noc1.gwi.net>...
:
: James Charles & Kathleen Ann Remington Jr. wrote in >Past Chief
etc...Whom
: also is on the N.F.P.A. Tech. Committee
: >His comments are as follows,
: >Nomex "WILL" burn, it is fire resistive.
: >Kevlar will not burn nor char. Kevlar retains it's fire resistives
: >qualities longer then nomex.
:
:
: How can something that is inherently flame resistive retain it's
qualities
: longer/shorter??? Either it is or isn't inherently FR... right?
:
No, some are flame resistive to a higher temperature or require a prolonged
exposure to a lower temperature to break down.
: Besides PBI and Nomex, there's also Advance, blends, and Dupont's new
:
:
: