From Lab to Lifesaver: The Ascent of Nomex

In 1961, DuPont achieved a major breakthrough by inventing a fire-resistant fabric which was durable and had a very high resistance to heat. This fabric, which they named Nomex, out-performed all existing fire-proofing material which at that time consisted mainly of cotton and nylon material. However, what should have been an instant commercial hit, received only a lukewarm response as Nomex was considered to be cumbersome, heavy, and expensive to use by firefighters.

However, DuPont remained undeterred as it strongly believed in the long-term potential of its product. Thus began a 10-year long journey in which DuPont, through its tireless research and development, transformed Nomex to a stage where it had shed all its earlier flaws. The new Nomex was an extremely comfortable fabric which allowed firefighters to easily breathe and did not add much weight to their already heavy gear.

Nomex proved its mettle in 1970 when the National Fire Protection Association issued a mandate that required the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) of firefighters to have an outer layer that could withstand melting for five minutes at over 500°F. Nomex easily met this new standard, thus becoming the market leader in fire safety apparel.

Nomex’s newfound status earned it acceptance in other industries. It found application on the battlefield where it protected soldiers from the heat of battle, and in the factories where it safeguarded furnace workers from the unforgiving high temperatures. It got adopted by oil rig workers who were always susceptible to sudden fires and by race car drivers who were vulnerable to a fiery explosion during a crash.

Nomex’s story is that of innovation and perseverance. An amazing breakthrough, which was dismissed by most people, eventually found success through the hard work and doggedness of its makers, thus becoming the gold standard in fire safety.

Hatim Dielectrics is an authorised distributor of Du Pont’s Nomex Papers. The company also supplies its products to various OEMs in India and abroad.

Nomex^® is a registered trademark of DuPont^™