GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® PYRAD® STRETCH PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY

PYRAD® technology is durably flame retardant and when exposed to flame forms a self-extinguishing char which protects the user from incidental flame. Gore designed prototype garments constructed with this fabric were tested in a thermal manikin test at EMPA laboratories according to ISO 13506 with a 3 second full engulfment at 83 kW/m2. There was no evidence of dripping or melting after the test garment was exposed to flame and the pain prediction was only 7%, with no burn prediction whatsoever. The material stayed flexible and was easily removed from the manikin without breaking open. Although the test set up does not reflect a real life scenario, it gives a good indication of an incidental flash fire accident.*

The GORE-TEX membrane is an extremely thin layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) that incorporates over 1.4 billion microscopic pores in every centimetre. It is these pores that allow evaporating sweat to escape out through the fabric but are too small to let water or wind penetrate the membrane from the outside.

CROSSTECH® technology delivers a powerful barrier preventing penetration from pathogens found in blood and body fluids, as well as common chemicals such as petrol, battery acid and hydraulic fluid. It has been tested in accordance with ISO 16604 procedure C on laminate and seams for checking resistance to blood borne pathogens using the bacteriophage PHI-X174.

Full garment stretch technology maximises elasticity and wearer comfort. When tested, it achieves 13% stretch at 30 N and 95% recovery after 1 minute. The improved fit creates better breathability as sweat evaporates through the garment much more efficiently when the fabric is closer to the skin.