Basic Facts About Tyvek Coveralls

By Essie Osborn


Have you ever seen these distinctive, life-saving garments? If you've seen a one-piece, full-body garment, white, worn by a worker at a construction site, a laboratory, or even by a mechanic in a garage, you've probably seen Tyvek coveralls. They protect the wearer against basic hazards, especially aerosol materials, airborne particulate matter, and even some liquids.

With Tyvek, the protective materials are spun right into the fabric itself, in a process called "spunbond" or "flashspun" manufacturing. Other safety fabrics are often simply coated with a protective layer, which leaves the material vulnerable to scratches. Because it's within the textile, rather than applied as a film, Tyvek's protection is safer to wear.

The amount of coverage a coverall provides depends not only on the materials it is made from, but from the style of closure at its edges. For maximum protection, you can get coveralls that have elastic around both the wrists and the ankles. This makes the fabric hug the wearer's body, so that nothing can permeate at the extremities.

Dry particles like lead or asbestos are stopped by this fabric, which makes these affordable garments popular for construction, painting, and insulation installation jobs. It allows water vapor to permeate, which makes it breathable and comfortable, but still offers some protection against liquids. However, for jobs or projects where chemical splashes and other highly hazardous liquids will be present, more expensive and more elaborate safety gear is a smart choice.

One of the nicest things about these garments is that they are inexpensive enough to be disposable. Instead of the worry of laundering and handling coveralls after they have been exposed to dangerous materials, you can simply throw the worn items away. This reduces risk of harm for everyone on your team.

This material, while developed for safety wear, has other uses as well. Fashionable retailer American Apparel sells shorts made of this textile to its youthful audience of stylish shoppers. Rock band Devo, known for their avant-garde music and sensibility, have been spotted wearing this material in their stage shows and music videos. Because the material is so unique and modern, its visual appeal to fashionistas takes it beyond its original purpose on job sites.

Why does it matter that this is such a high density material? Because the strength of the textile means it is difficult to accidentally rip or tear. While it can be deliberately cut with scissors or a blade, it is almost impossible to snag or damage without meaning to, so wearers can be assured of safety, and won't be surprised by a vent in their protective layer of outerwear.

What to do with a worn garment, or with a used object, like a USPS Priority Mail envelope, made out of this material? Well, the manufacturing company that creates the textile, DuPont, has instituted a recycling program that accepts used Tyvek for reprocessing, as long as it hasn't been exposed to hazardous substances. This creates an eco-friendly solution for used items and outfits.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment