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{{short description|Flame-resistant meta-aramid material}}
[[File:TFS Nomex Hood.JPG|thumb|A firefighter in Toronto, Canada wears a Nomex hood in 2007.]]

'''Nomex''' is a trademarked term for an inherently [[flame retardant|flame-resistant]] fabric with [[meta- (chemistry)|meta]]-[[aramid]] chemistry widely used for industrial applications and fire protection equipment. It was developed in the early 1960s by [[DuPont]] and first marketed in 1967.<ref name=Ullmann>{{cite book |doi=10.1002/14356007.a13_001 |chapter=High-Performance Fibers |title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |year=2000 |last1=Mera |first1=Hiroshi |last2=Takata |first2=Tadahiko |isbn=978-3-527-30673-2 }}</ref>  

The fabric is often combined with [[Kevlar]] to increase its resistance for breakage or tear.  

== Properties ==
Nomex and related aramid polymers are related to [[nylon]], but have [[aromaticity|aromatic]] backbones, and hence are more rigid and more durable. Nomex is an example of a ''[[meta- (chemistry)|meta]]'' variant of the [[aramid]]s ([[Kevlar]] is a ''[[para- (chemistry)|para]]'' aramid). Unlike Kevlar, Nomex strands cannot align during filament [[polymerization]] and have less strength: its [[ultimate tensile strength]] is {{cvt|340|MPa|psi}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.matweb.com/search/datasheet_print.aspx?matguid=708a229bb73441b9a9ebc38ad3e44725|title=DuPont™ Nomex® N301 Nomex® Aramid Staple Fiber}}</ref>  However, it has excellent thermal, chemical, and radiation resistance for a polymer material. It can withstand temperatures of up to {{convert|370|C|F|sigfig=2}}.<ref>{{Cite book |doi=10.1016/B978-0-08-100904-8.00002-X |chapter=Fibers used for high-performance apparel |title=High-Performance Apparel |year=2018 |last1=Sabir |first1=Tasneem |pages=7–32 |isbn=978-0-08-100904-8 }}</ref>

== Production ==
Nomex is produced by [[Condensation polymer|condensation reaction]] from the [[monomer]]s [[m-phenylenediamine|''m''-phenylenediamine]] and [[Isophthalic acid|isophthaloyl chloride]].<ref name=Ullmann/>

It is sold in both fiber and sheet forms and is used as a fabric where resistance from heat and flame is required. Nomex sheet is actually a [[calender|calendered paper]] and made in a similar fashion. Nomex Type 410 paper was the first Nomex paper developed and one of the higher volume grades made, mostly for [[Insulator (electrical)|electrical insulation]] purposes.

Wilfred Sweeny (1926–2011), the DuPont scientist responsible for discoveries leading to Nomex, earned a DuPont [[Lavoisier Medal]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.fibersource.com/f-info/More_News/dup-062102.htm |title=Nomex Scientist Earns Lavoisier Medal |publisher=FiberSource |date=June 20, 2002 |access-date=2008-08-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123023103/http://www.fibersource.com/f-info/More_News/dup-062102.htm |archive-date=January 23, 2013 }}</ref> in 2002 partly for this work.

== Applications ==
Nomex Paper is used in electrical laminates such as circuit boards and transformer cores as well as fireproof [[honeycomb structures]] where it is saturated with a [[phenolic resin]]. Honeycomb structures such as these, as well as [[mylar]]-Nomex laminates, are used extensively in aircraft construction. Firefighting, military aviation, and vehicle racing industries use Nomex to create clothing and equipment that can withstand intense heat.

A Nomex hood is a common piece of racing and [[fire fighting|firefighting]] equipment. It is placed on the [[human head|head]] on top of a [[firefighter]]'s [[face]] mask. The hood protects the portions of the head not covered by the [[helmet]] and face mask from the intense [[heat]] of the fire.

Wildland firefighters wear Nomex shirts and trousers as part of their [[personal protective equipment]] during [[wildfire suppression]] activities.
 
[[Auto racing|Racing car drivers]] wear [[Racing suit|driving suits]] constructed of Nomex and or other [[List of fire-retardant materials|fire retardant materials]], along with Nomex gloves, long underwear, [[balaclava (clothing)|balaclavas]], socks, [[racing helmet|helmet]] lining and shoes, to protect them in the event of a [[fire]].

[[Armed forces|Military]] [[aviator|pilots]] and aircrew wear [[flight suit]]s made of over 92 percent Nomex to protect them from [[Cockpit (aviation)|cockpit]] fires (previously issued flight suits were treated in [[Borax|borax solution]] prior to the introduction). It is also worn as sailors' [[anti-flash gear]]. Troops riding in ground vehicles often wear Nomex for fire protection. Kevlar thread is often used to hold the fabric together at seams.

Military tank drivers also typically use Nomex hoods as protection against fire.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www2.dupont.com/personal-protection/en-us/dpt/nomex-military.html |title=Intense Battles Call for Intense Flash Fire Protection |access-date=2013-01-22 |archive-date=2013-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116031445/http://www2.dupont.com/personal-protection/en-us/dpt/nomex-military.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the U.S. space program, Nomex has been used for the [[Thermal Micrometeoroid Garment]] on the [[Extravehicular Mobility Unit]] (in conjunction with [[Kevlar]] and [[Gore-Tex]]) and [[Advanced Crew Escape Suit|ACES]] pressure suit, both for fire and extreme environment (water immersion to near vacuum) protection, and as thermal blankets on the payload bay doors, fuselage, and upper wing surfaces of the [[Space Shuttle]] Orbiter. It has also been used for the airbags for the [[Mars Pathfinder]] and [[Mars Exploration Rover]] missions {{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}, the [[Galileo spacecraft|Galileo atmospheric probe]], the [[Cassini-Huygens]] [[Titan (moon)|Titan]] probe, as an external covering on the [[AERCam Sprint]], and is planned to be incorporated into NASA's upcoming [[Crew Exploration Vehicle]].

Nomex has been used as an acoustic material in Troy, NY, at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center ([[EMPAC]]) main concert hall. A ceiling canopy of Nomex reflects high and mid frequency sound, providing reverberation, while letting lower frequency sound partially pass through the canopy.<ref>[http://www.fda-online.com/news_detail.php?id=89 Immersive Art: Surrounded by Science, Art Flourishes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710233440/http://www.fda-online.com/news_detail.php?id=89 |date=2011-07-10 }} by Michael Eddy, ''Stage Directions'', February 1, 2009</ref> According to RPI President Shirley Ann Jackson, EMPAC is the first venue in the world to use Nomex as an architectural material for acoustic reasons.{{cn|date=May 2019}}

Nomex (like Kevlar) is also used in the production of [[loudspeaker]] drivers.

Honeycomb-structured Nomex paper is used as a spacer between layers of lead in the [[ATLAS experiment|ATLAS]] Liquid Argon Calorimeter,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Hervas|first1=L.|title=The ATLAS Liquid Argon Electromagnetic Calorimeter: Construction, Commissioning and Selected Test Beam Results|journal=[[IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement]]|date=2005|volume=54|issue=4|pages=1505–1512|doi=10.1109/TIM.2005.851233|bibcode=2005ITIM...54.1505H |s2cid=26075945|url=https://cds.cern.ch/record/912970}}</ref> and as a laminate core for hull and deck construction in custom boats such as Stiletto Catamarans like the [[Stiletto 27]].<ref>[http://www.theriaultmarine.com/16/about-boat-building#anchor4 Boat Building: Process and Advances, How Core Materials Make Better Boats] by Eric W. Sponberg, Naval Architect</ref>

Nomex is used in industrial applications as a filter in exhaust filtration systems, typically a [[baghouse]], that deal with hot gas emissions found in asphalt plants, cement plants, steel smelting facilities, and non-ferrous metal production facilities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dupont.com/products-and-services/fabrics-fibers-nonwovens/protective-fabrics/uses-and-applications/hot-gas-filtration.html|title = Hot Gas Filtration}}</ref>

Nomex is used in some [[classical guitar]] tops in order to create a 'composite' soundboard.<ref name="Kamen">{{cite web |last1=Kamen |first1=Chris |title=The origin and development of the double top guitar |url=https://www.classicguitar.com/the-origin-and-development-of-the-double-top-guitar/ |website=Classic Guitars International |date=23 February 2017 |access-date=2022-12-19}}</ref> When Nomex is laminated between 2 spruce or cedar 'skins', a rigid and lightweight plate is produced, which can improve the efficiency of the soundboard. While the 'laminated' technique was created by Matthias Dammann, the use of Nomex within was first employed by [[luthier]] Gernot Wagner.<ref name="Kamen" />

== History ==
The deaths in fiery crashes of race car drivers [[Fireball Roberts]] at Charlotte, and [[Eddie Sachs]] and [[Dave MacDonald]] at Indianapolis in 1964, led to the use of flame-resistant fabrics such as Nomex.<ref>''Competition Press'', June 27-July 10, 1964, Page 2.</ref> In early 1966 ''Competition Press and Autoweek'' reported: "During the past season, experimental driving suits were worn by [[Walt Hansgen]], [[Masten Gregory]], [[Marvin Panch]] and Group 44's [[Bob Tullius]]; these four representing a fairly good cross section in the sport. The goal was to get use-test information on the comfort and laundering characteristics of Nomex. The Chrysler-Plymouth team at the recent Motor Trend 500 at [[Riverside International Raceway|Riverside]] also wore these suits."<ref>''Competition Press and Autoweek'', April 9, 1966, Page 17.</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Aramid]]
* [[Gore-Tex]]
* [[Kevlar]]
* [[Marlan_(fabric)|Marlan]]
* [[PET film (biaxially oriented)|PET film]]
* [[Aerogel#Silica aerogel|Silica Aerogel]]
* [[Thermal Micrometeoroid Garment]]
* [[Twaron]]
* [[Vectran]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.Nomex.com/ DuPont Nomex]
*[http://www2.dupont.com/Nomex/en_US/news_events/40th_anniv.html Dupont.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217011922/http://www2.dupont.com/Nomex/en_US/news_events/40th_anniv.html |date=2012-02-17 }} - 40th anniversary of Nomex - 2007
*[http://www.racingsuits.com/2008/one-layer-vs-multi-layer/ Comparison of single-layer Nomex suits]

{{Fire fighting}}
{{DuPont}}
{{fibers}}

[[Category:Flame retardant fabrics]]
[[Category:Synthetic materials]]
[[Category:Firefighting equipment]]
[[Category:Synthetic fibers]]
[[Category:Brand name materials]]
[[Category:DuPont products]]
[[Category:Trademarks]]