Maxx schlick
07-06-2008, 02:45 PM
I got this idea from Mike Critchley at the last event. He was wearing his Nomex Flight suit from when he used to fly in the Service. I got a New flight suit from the Army surplus store for $40. The new ones are made out of Meta-Aramid, witch is much better at resisting fire than plain cotton. Sure it won't be as good as a 3 layer Nomex Fire Suit that will set you back a grand or more, but for $40 what can you expect. I did a little test with a butane torch on a cotton t shirt and a piece of Meta-Aramid.
The cotton caught fire instantly and continued to burn on its own after the torch was removed. The Meta-Aramid resisted the flame for quite a while but did finally get burned thru, however once the torch was removed the fabric did not continue to burn at all on its own like the cotton did. The Aramid just does not hold a flame, whereas the cotton burned like a bonfire once it got ignited.
Do not get the Tanker suit, they are just cotton. Make sure it specifies Coveralls Flight Suit made of Nomex or the new Aramid.
The cotton caught fire instantly and continued to burn on its own after the torch was removed. The Meta-Aramid resisted the flame for quite a while but did finally get burned thru, however once the torch was removed the fabric did not continue to burn at all on its own like the cotton did. The Aramid just does not hold a flame, whereas the cotton burned like a bonfire once it got ignited.
Do not get the Tanker suit, they are just cotton. Make sure it specifies Coveralls Flight Suit made of Nomex or the new Aramid.