Heat preservation is not only a question of comfort, at times a person’s health and life depend upon warm clothing.
The 3М company developed a unique technology which allows the manufacturing of microfibers that are 50 to 70 times thinner than a human hair. A heat insulator developed on the basis of this technology was named Thinsulate® (a combination of the English words “thin” and “insulate”). The main characteristic of all heat insulators is their ability to trap air. The more air a unit of insulation traps, the better it retains heat. Thinsulate's® decreased fiber thickness results in a considerable increase in the total area of air-retaining fibers per unit of volume. This characteristic of Thinsulate® is almost ten times higher than other materials, making it one and half times warmer than natural down and nearly twice as warm as any other non-woven fabric when comparing thermal packages of the same thickness.
Thinsulate® has a unique combination of heat-preservation and ventilation properties: while effectively retaining heat, it also allows the evaporation of moisture. Even a thin layer of this micro-fiber material possesses surprising thermal insulating properties in combination with durability, ease of care and service.
3M is continuously improving Thinsulate® in accordance with market requirements and customers’ wishes. The company has designed a new material using fire reisistant meta-aramid fibers, known as Thinsulate® FR, specifically for oil and gas companies and for operations exposed to fire and explosion hazards. Thinsulate® FR retains its fire-resistant properties during laundry and dry-cleaning procedures.
Thanks to its unique properties, Thinsulate® FR heat-insulating material ensures the highest degree of protection against cold in combination with fire-resistance, lightness of weight, durability of wear, unique “breathing” properties and ease of care.
Purpose:
Thinsulate® FR is intended for use in the manufacturing of winter fire-resistant overalls for personnel operating in environments with risks of fire hazards, such as oil and gas production, oil refineries, drilling and fuel complexes, as well as for the manufacturing of fire-proof blankets for hotels, transport companies, etc.
The main advantages of Thinsulate® FR insulator:
This heat insulator includes fire-resistant meta-aramid fibers, which prevent the deterioration of their fire-resistant properties during laundry.
The insulator complies with the requirements of European Standard EN 533. Its fire resistant properties were confirmed by tests carried out by the Fire Safety Research Institute (VNIIPO) and the Central Research and Development Institute of the Sewing Industry (TSNIISHP).
Fire resistance is combined with the excellent thermal insulating properties typical of other types of Thinsulate®.
The insulator's microfiber structure ensures unique heat-retaining properties down to temperatures of –60 С.
The micro-fibers absorb virtually no moisture (less than 1 percent of its weight), which enables Thinsulate® to retain its thermal-insulating properties even after soaking.
The insulator’s weight is very light, comparable to that of natural down.
A three-dimensional fiber pattern, together with thermal fastening technology, ensures that multiple washings will have no effect on the volume and wear-resistance of the heat insulator. It does not clot or shrink.
Thinsulate® is an ecological hypo-allergenic material, which conforms to international quality standards.
Composition:
Thinsulate® FR is composed of 15 percent polyethylene styrene, 65 percent meta-aramid and 20 percent interpolymer of acrylonitrile and vinyliden chloride.
Having made personnel safety one of their most important social programs, leading companies of the oil and gas industry have tested the material and included Thinsulate® FR in their corporate standards for fire-resistant overalls.
Source: www.3m.com/ru , www.o-thinsulate.ru
