Unlike flame-retardant treated (FRT) materials, NOMEX®
brand fibers are inherently flame resistant(FR): the flame
resistance is an inherent property of the polymer chemistry.
It will not diminish during the life of the fiber. The fiber’s
low stiffness and high elongation give it textile-like
characteristics which allow processing on conventional
textile equipment. These and other properties are discussed
in detail in this guide.
In this guide FR will designate materials that are
inherently flame-resistant, such as NOMEX® and
KEVLAR®. FRT will designate materials that have been
treated with a flame-retardant chemical to make them
flame resistant, such as FRT cotton.
Since its introduction, the product lines of NOMEX®
have been augmented to include a variety of natural and
colored fibers and blends, each with unique properties
designed to meet specific end-use requirements. The
general classes of these products are discussed in the
following section. Table I-1 on page 4 lists some specific
commercial products and their end uses