Narrow Fabrics For Fall Protection Systems
Working from heights is a necessary requirement for many jobs and many industries. As such, mitigating the risks associated with these tasks is a priority for both worker and employer. However, the standards and related protective equipment have been, and continue to be, evolving. Prior to the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration […]
Performance Fiber Selection Explained
There is no perfect fiber. Unfortunately, no single performance fiber can do it all – they all have their strengths and weaknesses. On the other hand, I suppose this is fortunate for me; if there were one perfect textile fiber, my job in Research and Development would be pointless. Therefore, when selecting which material(s) to […]
Specialty Narrow Fabrics for Aerospace and Space Travel
From the first flying pterosaurs, who 160 million years ago evolved hollow, low-density skeletons, to the Wright brothers, with their canvas and balsa wood aircraft, to the latest engineering marvels from NASA®, SpaceX®, Blue Origin®, and others, advancements in flight have always hinged on the struggle of performance versus weight. It is no wonder, therefore, […]
Specialty Narrow Textiles For The 21st Century Firefighter
Needing to be prepared for any number of challenging and dangerous scenarios in their work, and often having to carry protective equipment and clothing to address those situations, it is obvious why so many lightweight and highly performing textile solutions are standard component choices. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which consists of fire resistant (FR) clothing, […]
Synthetic Webbing Slings For Crane Rigging
Cranes, hoists, and other types of load-bearing lifting machines utilize an array of different rigging to safely and effectively secure, raise, and deposit an endless variety of objects and cargo. Where enormous weights are being transported, there are – as one might imagine – very specific, tried-and-true, items for each job. Types of Crane/Lift Rigging […]
Safety Webbing: Choosing The Right Webbing For Your Product
When most people hear the term “webbing” they likely first think of spiders, or perhaps the skin between a duck’s toes. What they may not realize is that this category of textile surrounds us in our everyday lives and is among the most broadly applied and useful of all fabric components. Webbings are so prevalent […]
Kevlar® vs Nomex®: Aramid Comparison
Kevlar® vs Nomex® Of all the high-performance fibers used to manufacture specialty fabrics, the name Kevlar® is likely the most recognized by textile insiders and laypersons as well. Developed by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont® in 1965, Kevlar is an extremely strong, heat-resistant synthetic fiber, first used commercially in the early 1970s as a replacement for […]
Product Highlight: Technora® Webbing
When it comes to specialized webbings, whose high performance is critical to safety, longevity, and the durability of a final-product application, yarns constructed from para-aramid fibers are among the most common and most popular. Of the brands and variations available, there are three names that dominate the market. While Kevlar® – produced exclusively by DuPont® […]
High-performance Comparison: Vectran Vs Kevlar
If you’re looking for a high-performance fiber for your next project, you’ve probably come across Kevlar and Vectran as potential options. But which one is the best choice for your needs vs the many other performance fibers? Both materials have unique properties that make them ideal for various applications. However, there are important distinctions to […]
Flame Resistant Vs. Flame Retardant Webbing, Tapes, & Elastics
In the world of specialized artificial materials for fire resisting personal protective equipment (PPE), there are materials that offer flame resistance and materials that are flame retardant. The difference between the two is about more than just vocabulary, and it’s important to know what distinguishes each. With this knowledge, you can effectively procure the materials […]
