Ultra soft cotton/nylon blend
The fabric used in all of the Survive Arc-rated clothing range is the ultra soft cotton/nylon blend. This is a premium fabric with many advantages over the synthetic / nomex modacrylics blends that other manufacturers use.
Whilst both types of fabrics are flame resistant, there are many reasons why the ultra soft cotton/ nylon blend are superior to the synthetic/nomex modacrylics blends. The ultra soft cotton/nylon blend is the lowest weight on the market that meets the 8 cal/cm2 threshold as a single layer. It can reach ATPV 24.3 cal/cm2 as a single layer. The synthetic/nomex modacrylics blends have poor characteristics such as poor insulation/heat retention, thermal shrinkage/body burns, skin irritation and poor breathability. These are outlined in the table below. You should also check out our guide on how to wash personal protective equipment.
| APPLICATION | ULTRASOFT – COTTON/ NYLON BLENDS | SYNTHETIC / NOMEX MODACRYLICS BLENDS |
| Wear resistance | Excellent | Good |
| Washability | 200 washes | 130 washes |
| Comfort | Excellent cotton next to skin | Not skin friendly |
| Resistance to electric arc flash | Excellent HTN fibre/cotton form a “break open barrier” and the HTN increases ATPV of the fabric | It works |
| Length of life cycle | Longer life cycle | Shorter life cycle |
| Weight v protection | 200 gm2 = 8.3 cal/cm2 (single layer) | Heavier |
| Cool to wear | Double Synthetic blends, moisture wicked away | No |
| Heat Attenuation Factor | High – heat blocked out by the fabric | Poor |
| Insulator | Cotton – good in winter | Poor |
| Shrunk | Fabric is double pre-shrunk | n/a |
It’s also a good idea to read up on arc flash PPE requirements.