Outer Shell Materials
Structural Outer Shell Materials - NFPA 1971
PBI MATRIX™
PBI MATRIX™ is the latest version of PBI™ fabric which has achieved a remarkable record of performance. Like its predecessor, PBI MATRIX™ is engineered to withstand the most severe temperatures and offers proven durability, comfort and flexibility. PBI MATRIX™ uses a web of filament KEVLAR® for even greater tear and tensile strength and the flat plain weave construction provides even better abrasion resistance than the original. PBI MATRIX™ is everything you know and love about PBI™, only stronger!
Content: 40% PBI™, 60% KEVLAR®
Weight: 7.5 oz/yd2 plain weave reinforced with KEVLAR® filament
Colors: Gold, Black
Supplier: TenCate
Attributes: ✓ Superior thermal stability
✓ Excellent tensile and tear strengths
✓ Excellent abrasion resistance
✓ Durable water repellent SST finish
PBI™
For many years, this has been our highest performance and most popular shell fabric. With the advent of PBI MATRIX™, many of our customers who swear by the performance of PBI™ are moving up to the new and improved version - PBI MATRIX™.
Content: 40% PBI™, 60% KEVLAR®
Weight: 7.5 oz/yd2 ripstop weave
Colors: Gold, Black
Supplier: TenCate
Attributes: ✓ Superior thermal stability
✓ Very good tensile and tear strengths
✓ Very good abrasion resistance
✓ Durable water repellent SST finish
MILLENIA™ XT
MILLENIA® XT is a relatively newer entry into the turnout gear outer shell arena, but if your problem is durability, MILLENIA® XT is an amazingly strong solution.
Content: 40% PBO, 60% Para-Aramid
Weight: 7.5 oz/yd2 ripstop weave
Color: Gold
Supplier: TenCate
Attributes: ✓ Superior thermal stability
✓ Superior tensile and tear strengths
✓ Superior abrasion resistance
✓ Durable water repellent SST finish
ADVANCE Ultra®
A brand new tri-blend from TenCate provides a step up in performance from their proven ADVANCE™ outer shell by adding some PBO fiber.
Content: 20% PBO, 20% NOMEX®, 60% KEVLAR®
Weight: 7.5 oz/yd2 ripstop weave
Colors: Yellow, Light Gold, Dark Gold, Black Gold
Supplier: TenCate
Attributes: ✓ Very good thermal stability
✓ Excellent tensile and tear strengths
✓ Excellent abrasion resistance
✓ Durable water repellent SST finish
ADVANCE®
Combining the proven performance of NOMEX® with the high strength of KEVLAR®, ADVANCE™ provides a very good balance of performance, durability, and cost.
Content: 40% NOMEX®, 60% KEVLAR®
Weight: 7.0 oz/yd2 ripstop weave
Colors: Gold, Yellow, Khaki, Black*
* Black is producer colored for dye stability
* Black is 50% NOMEX®, 50% KEVLAR®,
Supplier: TenCate
Attributes: ✓ Very good thermal stability
✓ Very good tensile and tear strengths
✓ Very good abrasion resistance
✓ Durable water repellent SST finish
BASOFIL®
The heat blocking ability of BASOFIL® fiber in this outer shell allows it to be combined with lightweight thermal
liners and still achieve high TPP values.
Content: 40% BASOFIL®, 60% KEVLAR®
Weight: 7.5 oz/yd2 ripstop weave
Colors: Gold, Black, Yellow (special order)
Supplier: NorFab
Attributes: ✓ Excellent TPP values
✓ Good tensile and tear strengths
✓ Durable water repellent finish
NOMEX® IIIA
Earning a well-deserved reputation for proven performance for three decades, NOMEX® IIIA provides protection at an affordable price.
Content: 93% NOMEX®, 5% KEVLAR®, 2% Anti-Static
Weight: 7.5 oz/yd2 plain weave
Colors: Yellow, Black, Tan, White,
Red, Royal Blue
Supplier: TenCate
Attributes: ✓ Basic thermal stability
✓ Very good tensile and tear strengths
✓ Good abrasion resistance
✓ Durable water repellent SST finish
ALUMINIZED PBI™
Recommended for proximity environments where radiant heat is encountered such as aircraft rescue and industrial applications, this fabric utilizes a reflective aluminized film for radiant heat resistance laminated to a knit PBI™ blend fabric for thermal stability.
Content: 30% PBI™, 70% Para-Aramid
Weight: 7.0 oz/yd2 knit with laminated aluminized film
Color: Silver
Supplier: Gentex
Attributes: ✓ Highly reflective for superior resistance to radiant heat
✓ Lightweight and flexible
✓ Engineered for proximity applications
Rescue and EMS Outer Shell Materials - NFPA 1951
MILLENIA® LIGHT
(CONVERTIBLE™ and TECHRESCUE™)
Content: 40% PBO, 60% KEVLAR®
Weight: 5.3 oz/yd2 Ripstop Weave
Color: Gold
Supplier: TenCate
Attributes: ✓ Flame resistant
✓ Most thermally stable (1300+ degrees F)
✓ Highest cut, tear, and abrasion resistance
✓ Durable water repellent finish
NOMEX® IIIA
(CONVERTIBLE™, EMSRESCUE™ and TECHRESCUE™)
Content: 93% NOMEX®, 5% KEVLAR®, 2% Anti-Static
Weight: 6.0 oz/yd2 Plain Weave
Colors: Navy (Standard), Royal Blue and Yellow (Optional)
Supplier: TenCate
Attributes: ✓ Flame resistant
✓ Heat resistant (to 750 degrees F)
✓ Proven durability from abrasion, cuts, tears
✓ Durable water repellent finish
