Moisture Barriers

Multilayered Protection

DuPont Moisture barriers made with Nomex® N400, Nomex® E89™, Nomex Woven and multilayered systems continually outperform in rigorous testing and real-world conditions, making them an indispensable aid to fireworker protection.

Moisture Barriers provide powerful flame-resistant substrates for liquid-impermeable films and help protect against the intrusion of water, chemicals and viral agents including chlorine, battery acid, aqueous film-forming foam, gasoline, and hydraulic fluid.

Dry systems are safer, more comfortable and lighter than wet ones and while all moisture barriers will shed external water, there are big differences in their breathability, durability, thermal integrity and long-term reliability.

Moisture barriers incorporating Nomex® are not only flame resistant but are also lightweight and breathable, helping to reduce overall heat stress and allowing body vapor and sweat to escape. This helps keeps firefighters drier, better protected and more comfortable under the most difficult situations.

Barrier SubstrateNomex® N400Nomex® E89™Nomex® WovenMulti-Layer Systems
FilmExpanded PTFEExpanded PTFEExpanded PTFEExpanded PTFE
Overall BenefitsLow cost
Moderate THL
Liquid Barrier		Low cost
High THL
Liquid Barrier		Durability
High THL
Liquid Barrier		Premium
durability
High THL
Liquid Barrier

Moisture Effects

Moisture also impacts comfort, performance, heat stress, and lowers THL, which can be a direct correlation to heart attacks - a major cause of firefighter deaths.

Weight & Comfort

Fabric weight has significant influence on thermal comfort
  • Fabric weight has more influence than fiber type on heat regulation and heat stress, per 3rd party study*
  • Heavier fabric weight can influence durability, style, and protection (depending on material)
* North Carolina State Textile Study

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