You have probably seen a head to toe one-piece white garment, made of what seems to be a kind of plastic, worn by a mechanic, a construction worker, or a cleanup crew in a laboratory setting. These outfits are Tyvek coveralls. Offering basic protection against airborne particulates, aerosol hazards, and some dangerous liquids, these industrial garments save lives in many fields.
One of the most distinctive things about this material is that it's made differently from most protective textiles. The barrier is spun right into the threads of the fabric, in a process known as spunbound bonding, or a "flashspun" process. This makes it more effective than alternative fabrics which are simply coated with a protective layer, which could be damaged or scratched in the field.
Some coveralls have open wrists and ankles, whereas others offer an elastic closure at these extremities. The elastic causes the fabric to hug the wearer's joints. That means additional protection, and less chance there is of a hazardous substance making its way inside the suit, where it can become dangerous.
Tyvek's affordable price point makes it ideal for a lot of fields, including construction jobs, painting, and insulation. It is an effective solution against dry particulates like lead and asbestos, and repels liquids while allowing water vapor to pass through it, for comfortable wear. However, if you or your workers are going to be encountering highly hazardous materials, or will be in situations where you need chemical splash protection, you might want a more expensive and more powerful layer of protection against dangerous agents.
One of the hazards of protective clothing happens after the job, when the garments need to be cleaned. However, with Tyvek, this isn't a problem, as the coveralls are designed to be disposable. By getting rid of the outfits after they've been exposed to hazardous substances, you are protecting everyone, even your cleanup crew.
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.
A major draw of these coveralls is their strength. The high density of the material makes it almost impossible to rip, so accidents are unlikely on the job. However, it is possible to cut the fabric with a knife or scissors. It is not an indestructible material, but it is one which is unlikely to be snagged or snared without intention.
When compared against many other synthetic materials, this one is distinctly environmentally friendly, because of the DuPont company's Tyvek recycling program. Whether it's a garment that's been worn (in a situation where there hasn't been exposure to hazardous materials), or it's simply a used object, like a USPS Priority Mail envelope, if the item is made of Tyvek, the same company that manufactures the item will accept it for recycling.
One of the most distinctive things about this material is that it's made differently from most protective textiles. The barrier is spun right into the threads of the fabric, in a process known as spunbound bonding, or a "flashspun" process. This makes it more effective than alternative fabrics which are simply coated with a protective layer, which could be damaged or scratched in the field.
Some coveralls have open wrists and ankles, whereas others offer an elastic closure at these extremities. The elastic causes the fabric to hug the wearer's joints. That means additional protection, and less chance there is of a hazardous substance making its way inside the suit, where it can become dangerous.
Tyvek's affordable price point makes it ideal for a lot of fields, including construction jobs, painting, and insulation. It is an effective solution against dry particulates like lead and asbestos, and repels liquids while allowing water vapor to pass through it, for comfortable wear. However, if you or your workers are going to be encountering highly hazardous materials, or will be in situations where you need chemical splash protection, you might want a more expensive and more powerful layer of protection against dangerous agents.
One of the hazards of protective clothing happens after the job, when the garments need to be cleaned. However, with Tyvek, this isn't a problem, as the coveralls are designed to be disposable. By getting rid of the outfits after they've been exposed to hazardous substances, you are protecting everyone, even your cleanup crew.
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.
A major draw of these coveralls is their strength. The high density of the material makes it almost impossible to rip, so accidents are unlikely on the job. However, it is possible to cut the fabric with a knife or scissors. It is not an indestructible material, but it is one which is unlikely to be snagged or snared without intention.
When compared against many other synthetic materials, this one is distinctly environmentally friendly, because of the DuPont company's Tyvek recycling program. Whether it's a garment that's been worn (in a situation where there hasn't been exposure to hazardous materials), or it's simply a used object, like a USPS Priority Mail envelope, if the item is made of Tyvek, the same company that manufactures the item will accept it for recycling.
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