Testing the Limits

Decisions on nuclear protective clothing are critically important ones to our customers. UniTech takes seriously its responsibilities to customers and to the workers who depend on our clothing. An important tool in assuring that we continually meet and exceed customers’ standards is independent testing of UniTech’s and competitors’ offerings. Testing performed by an independent SCC accredited lab to study characteristics of nuclear protective coveralls was completed recently. A summary of results follows. For the complete report including test methods and complete analysis, contact your account representative. To prevent breaks and tears, nuclear protective clothing must withstand the demands of close-quarter and difficult work environments, especially at high stress points as shown here.

Fabric Breaking Strength

Nuclear protective clothing must be constructed of textiles strong enough to withstand the demands of close-quarter and difficult work environments, especially at high stress points such as knees, elbows, shoulders, and crotch. A fabric failure in a contaminated area creates a risk for contamination. In this test, UniTech’s ProTech Plus® was the hands-down winner.

Fabric Seam Strength

Nuclear protective clothing is only as strong as its weakest seam, especially since arduous worker activity such as climbing and crawling puts significant stress on shoulder and crotch seams. UniTech’s fabric cohesiveness and double-felled seams likely both contributed to the contrast in fabric seam strengths between launderable (particularly ProTech Plus) and single-use garments

Fabric Comfort

Comfort matters. Bending rigidity is a subtle characteristic for nuclear protective clothing, but a worker involved in a task for hours will likely feel more comfortable in a garment that features more supple fabric. ProTech Plus offers remarkable performance in this regard, especially given its strength. Shear rigidity, measured in the chart at right, is a distinct measure for protective clothing as body movements apply wide ranges of diagonal compression to most areas of the garment. Again, a long wearing period will amplify a sense of discomfort from a full body garment. Here, ProTech Plus is the clear winner

Fabric Comfort – Heat Stress

Independent tests for ISO 11092 fabric insulative performance and vapor transport performance both show UniTech’s ProTech Plus as a strong choice (and the best for fabric insulative performance) and OREX® Ultra PVA as the least attractive option – in the case of vapor transport, by a very significant margin.