Are Tychem® fabrics available in other colors?

No, all Tychem? fabrics are available in one unique color. (See product information.)  Go to top

Will ultraviolet rays damage the material?

Yes, ultraviolet rays can damage most chemical suit materials; however, in order for damage to occur the material would have to be exposed to direct ultraviolet rays for weeks at a time.  Go to top

Can Tychem® garments be reused?

DuPont considers Tychem? garments to be limited-use garments and reuse is based on both an evaluation of the physical state of the garment and also the level and type of chemical exposure. The permeation tests indicate breakthrough time after the garment has been exposed. The duration is from the initial chemical exposure NOT the total hours a garment is worn.  Go to top

Can Tychem® garments be repaired?

DuPont limited-use suits are not designed to be repaired. The suits are inexpensive, and being made from film laminates, are not designed for long-term, repeated wear.

DuPont recognizes that in some instances minor repairs may be necessary on a new suit or a suit worn, but not contaminated. In these cases, contact DuPont Protective Apparel Customer Service for information and costs of associated with such repairs. DuPont will accept no suit returns without prior arrangement and documentation.  Go to top

Is there a shelf life for Tychem ® garments?

DuPont™ Tychem? garments contain materials, including gloves, for which there is no specific shelf life data available. It is suggested that garments be labeled and retired to "Training Use Only" after five years. Garments may be used as long as they pass the ASTM F1052-97 pressure test and pass a full visual inspection. Uncontaminated garments that do no pass a pressure test or fail a visual inspection should be retired and labeled "For Training Use Only" or be discarded.  Go to top

Are Tychem® garments flame resistant and/or flame retardant?

No, Tychem? garments are not treated to be flame resistant or flame retardant and should not be worn in flammable or explosive environments. Tychem? Reflector is the only garment to pass the Flame Impingement Test (ASTM F1358).  Go to top

Can Tychem® suits be recycled?

No, these products are made from several different thermoplastic resins. They should never be put in with paper waste, which will be re-pulped. These products are not readily biodegradable.  Go to top

Will new chemicals be tested against Tychem® fabrics?

Yes, we will order additional testing as interested customers request chemicals be tested for specific needs.

DuPont will test a chemical against a Tychem? fabric at no charge, on a confirmed order of at least four cases of Level B Coveralls.   Go to top

How do you know if it is contaminated?

The decision whether a garment is contaminated is that of local management based on knowledge of the conditions under which the garment was worn.  Go to top

Can I wear a NOMEX® coverall over or under my Tychem® CPF3 garment to protect me from flashfire?

No. Tychem® chemical protective garments, other than Tychem® ThermoPro, will burn. Tychem® garments should not be worn around heat, open flames, sparks or any other possible ignition source nor in potentially explosive or flammable environments.

Wearing garments made of NOMEX® or any other flame-resistant fabric, under Tychem® garments, other than Tychem® ThermoPro, will not reduce burn injury during a flash fire. Tychem® garments, other than Tychem® ThermoPro, will burn and possibly melt when exposed to a flash-fire; this is likely to increase burn injuries even when worn over garments made of NOMEX® or any other flame-resistant fabric.

Tychem® garments, other than Tychem® ThermoPro, melt when exposed to heat and flame. These garments should not be worn under a garment made of NOMEX® or any other flame resistant fabric, if the potential for flash-fire exists.

  Go to top

Can Adhesive Tape be used to seal Tychem® CPF3 garments?

Adhesive tape cannot provide a completely liquid- or vapor-tight seal. Taping can reduce bulk flow if carefully applied. During an emergency situation it may be difficult to carefully apply tape. Taping should be viewed, primarily, as a means to hold clothing items in place; to hold a hood over the respirator, to hold a sleeve over a glove, to hold a pant leg over a boot, or to hold a closure flap closed. Taping does not provide reliable barrier performance  Go to top

CPF3 HD: What styles are available?

Hooded coverall and coverall with collar and no hood. Attached gloves, socks, double closure flap are common to both styles.  Go to top

CPF3 HD: What types of gloves are provided with Tychem® CPF3 HD garment?

An Ansell® Barrier™ inner glove for wide spectrum chemical protection and the outer Ansell® stretch chloroprene glove provides durability and increased dexterity.  Go to top

CPF3 HD: What is the difference between Tychem® CPF3 HD garment and Tychem® CPF3 coveralls?

Attached dual-layer gloves, double storm flaps with wide hook/loop closures socks, and a larger zipper pull for ease of donning and doffing are all standard with the Tychem® CPF3 HD garment whereas only certain Tychem® CPF3 coveralls have some, not all, of these features.  Go to top

CPF3 HD: Is Tychem® CPF3 HD garment certified?

No. Tychem® CPF3 HD garment is not certified.  Go to top

CPF3 HD: Have the Tychem® CPF3 HD garment and materials been tested against real chemical warfare agents or surrogates?

Tychem® CPF3 HD fabric, seams and gloves have been tested against actual, real chemical agents Lewisite (L), Distilled Sulfur Mustard (DH), Sarin (GB) and VX.  Go to top

CPF3 HD: What is the shelf life for Tychem® CPF3 HD Garments?

All DuPont™ Tychem® chemical protective garments may contain materials, including gloves, closures and exhaust valves for which there is no specific storage life data available. It is suggested that garments be labeled and retired to "Training Use Only" after 5 years from date of shipment. Garments may be used as long as they pass a full visual inspection. In addition to the visual inspection, Level A garments should pass the ASTM F1052 inflation test.

Uncontaminated garments that do not pass a visual inspection should be retired and labeled "For Training Use Only" or be discarded.

  Go to top

CPF3 HD: Are Tychem® garments flame resistant and/or flame retardant?

No. If the danger of flash-fire exists, actions such as substitution, engineering controls, work practices and administrative controls should be implemented to mitigate that risk. Exposure of personnel should be minimized or avoided. At a minimum, fire suppression equipment and personnel should be ready and manned to conduct fire suppression should a flash fire occur.

Tychem® garments are not intended for fire fighting activities, nor for protection from hot liquids, steam, molten metals, welding, electrical arc or thermal radiation.

  Go to top