Chicago Protective Apparel

Foundry work such as charging, taping, and pouring molten metal can expose workers to dangerous thermal hazards and burn injuries. Primary protective clothing is the first line of defense against molten metal splash and other foundry hazards. It is part of the outer layer of a personal protective equipment (PPE) system. Garments such as heavy jackets and coats, hoods, full-body approach suits, pants, coveralls, leggings, overshoes, and spats can be combined to obtain the level of protection needed for the task at hand. There are various fabrics available for manufacturing effective primary protective clothing. Many are aluminized, however there are some newer non-aluminized options as well.

ALUMINIZED Aluminized fabrics are built with a base layer of a protective, flame-resistant fabric, and finished with an aluminized coating. The mirrored surface of aluminized fabrics makes it extremely effective at reflecting radiant heat. It can reflect up to ninety-five percent (95%) of thermal radiation, and some fabrics withstand intermittent exposure to temperatures as high as 3000°F. Depending on the properties of the base fabric and the particular aluminization process it has undergone, aluminized fabrics also have varying degrees of resistance to cut and abrasion, flame, high heat, chemical and molten metal splash.