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Vice Blog

FIREPROOF FASHION

U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt Rick Sforza

Ever wonder how Formula 1 drivers walk away from fires not on fire? It's all down to a miracle fabric made by DuPont™ called NOMEX®. Originally developed in the 50s, by 1965 it was being used to make fetching US Navy flight coveralls and soon became the standard for fireproof gear amongst the military, firefighters, racers, and all the other industries in which people are often set ablaze.

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No matter what you do to NOMEX®, it just won't burn, or melt, or drip. At worst, it will slowly char, giving you time to get out of your fighter jet and coolly walk away. It works because its chemical structure is inherently non-flammable. For the chemically minded amongst you, it's a meta-aramid, poly(meta phenyleneisophthalamide), prepared from meta-phenylenediamine and isophthaloyl chloride in an amide solvent. For the rest of us, it looks like this up close.

According to DuPont, NOMEX® helps to reduce burn injuries in other ways too. The fiber itself absorbs heat energy during the carbonization process, swells and seals openings in the fabric to decrease air movement and heat transfer. Finally, both the fiber and the fabric thicken, increasing the insulating barrier. In terms of feel and thickness, think of it as a comfy wool glove that you can use as an oven mitt.

The largest application for NOMEX® remains the flight suits used by the four services of the U.S. Military. The standard issue ones are Flyers Coveralls (27/P), on sale here at $90. As DuPont's literature jauntily points out, they are "the choice of aircrews in all branches of the service and are worn as part of an ensemble that includes anti-g suits and flyers jackets (36/P and 45/P)". NOMEX® coveralls are also used for ground and engineering crews and these days the diffusion range also includes gloves, underwear, balaclava head coverings, and cold weather gear.

But just like American Apparel, DuPont aren't stopping at the basics. The company now makes everything from aircraft carpets to industrial filters, and through "joint collaboration with the military in a variety of research programs" is expanding their prestige range of gear for other military buyers.

Recent breakthroughs include NOMEX® Limitedwear – chic, lightweight, limited-use, flame resistant coveralls that help protect you from the danger of fires, whether you're "a mechanic, in the infantry, or performing any task where the risk of flash fire exists." DuPont's miracle fiber has also been woven into the much talked-about Multi-Climate Protection System (MCPS) developed by NAVAIR. A series of pieces designed to be layered; MCPS can be worn with flight suits and aviation gear to protect against fire, rain and snow. Great for A/W 2011, even better for A/W 2012 and the end of the world.

CHRIS HATHERILL is co-director of super/collider