4/22/2014

The Basics Of Tyvek Coveralls Explained

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.

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.

There are varying degrees of protection depending on the style of coverall you choose. Some, but not all, styles have elastic at the edges, holding it fast against the wearer's ankles and wrists. This offers maximum protection at the extremities, so that nothing can get inside the suit.

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.

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.

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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