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    |  |   Polyamide-imide PAI
 
 
 Polyamide
imide  Introduction Polyamide-imide is classified in the meta-aramide family. It is
naturally non-flammable, which is a permanent characteristic thanks to its
chemical structure including a high proportion of aromatic structures and
combined double bonds. It is mainly used in heat and fire protective clothing. A
new field of application is the filtrations segment. The trademark of our
product is Kermel. Kermel is a smooth-surfaced fibre with an almost circular cross-section. This shape, as well as its modulus, make it comfortable and very pleasant to the touch.
The fibre has a very high resistance to abrasion, a thermal conductivity twice as low as any other aramid fibre. It also has an excellent resistance to chemicals.
KermelŪ is solution-dyed during the manufacturing process for lifelong color
fastness . Colours can withstand UV lights and washing   
          
            | Properties
 
              
                | General
                  characteristics | 
                    
                      | Density | 1,34
                        g/cm3 |  
                      | moisture
                        regain | abt.
                        4% |  
                      | Tensile
                        strength | 40
                        cN/tex +/- 4 |  
                      | elongation
                        at break | 19%
                        +/- 2 |  
                      | elasticity
                        modulus | 240
                        to 320 cN/tex |  
                      | shrinkage
                        in boiling water (15 min.) | 0% |  
                      | shrinkage
                        in dry air (15 min. at 200 degr C) | 0.2% |    |  
                | Non flammability | Polyamide-imide based garments are permanently non-flammable The physical measurement which
                  allows to qualify the non-flammability of the material is the
                  Limited Oxygen Index (LOI). If it is considerably higher than
                  the oxygen content in atmospheric air (21% approx.), the
                  combustion of the product cannot sustain itself in a normal
                  environment. Kermel
                  fiber has a LOI of 30-32%
 Kermel fibers do not melt when
                  exposed to high temperatures but slowly char without dripping   |  
                | Thermostability | Polyamide-imide fabrics are stable in flames, and the integrity of the
        clothing is sufficient to enable the wearer to move away from the
        hazardous area. Thermostability of a fiber or
                  fabrics concerns the conservation of mechanical
                  characteristics and dimensional stability for a given
                  temperature exposure. For the protective clothing
                  applications, fabric is required to withstand temperatures of
                  over 1000 degr C  for a few seconds. Kermel is extremely
                  efficient in this field. When subjected to flames,
                  fabrics made from Polyamide-imide retain their integrity and
                  their dimensions, which means that in addition to acting as a
                  protective screen, they also maintain the protective layer of
                  air between the skin and the clothing.
 |  
                | Thermal insulation | Polyamide-imide fiber is a very good thermal insulator, which allows
        good protection against heat with lightweight fabrics. Kermel has a thermal
                  conductivity of 0.04 W/m. degr K
 |  
                | Resistance to chemicals | The chemical properties of
    
        Polyamide-imide provide efficient protection against most chemical
        agents. Kermel fiber gives good
                  resistance to cold acids, even when concentrated, and dilute
                  alkalis at ambient temperature, when immersed for a fairly
                  long period. It also withstands most organic solvents (except
                  highly polar solvents and phenol-based solvents), chlorine
                  bleach, detergents and water vapor. For short-period contact,
                  i.e. accidental contact, Kermel has very good qualities as it
                  retains its integrity and therefore sustains the protective
                  screen effect.
 |  
                | Mechanical strength | The mechanical strength of
    
        Polyamide-imide fiber is ideally suited for making durable, long-wearing
        clothing. Kermel's mechanical data shows
                  supple and flexible fiber with good elasticity. The fiber also
                  has a high resistance to abrasion (transversal resistance)
                  thanks to its amorphous structure. This explains the excellent
                  durability of the product. |  
                | Comfort | The low modulus of the fiber is realized in the extreme softness of
    
        Polyamide-imide fabrics and knits |  
                | Gas
                  emissions | For applications
                  where gas emissions are very important, Kermel is a
                  particularly appropriate solution as the fiber generates
                  pyrolysis gases with a very low toxic content (HCN and CO),
                  and the opacity is very low when exposed to a flame. |  
                | Appearance | Polyamide-imide does not have pilling, i.e. fabrics continue to look as
        good as new for a long time |  
                | Color | Kermel Polyamide-imide is solution dyed during the manufacturing process
        for improved color fastness |     
         
 
              
                | Applications Kermel  are used KermelŪ Polyamide-imide fibers /
                  yarns / fabrics are mainly used in the manufacture of gloves,
                  clothing and underwear protecting against heat and flames. It
                  is used in station wear garments and turnout gear for fire
                  brigades, in pilot jackets, tank crews coveralls, anti-riot
                  garments, parkas, work wear coveralls etc. New
                  developments are particularly dedicated to VIPs, bodyguards,
                  airlines' uniforms ; markets where protection is combined with
                  elegance. 
                    
                      | The
                        Army | Since
                        thermostable outfits were introduced thirty years ago
                        for use by the Army's armored vehicle teams, Kermel's
                        collaboration with army technical staff has
                        progressively tightened. In France, tank crew and combat
                        helicopter pilots put their trust in Kermel to protect
                        them in the heat of the action. With the combined
                        anti-flame protection of outfits and underwear, Kermel
                        fiber allows crew to evacuate an armored vehicle in the
                        best possible conditions (within approx. 10 seconds) |  
                      | Air
                        Force | French and
                        Italian fighter pilots use Kermel flight suits, Kermel
                        underwear and Kermel bomber jackets. And as for those
                        back at the base, the fire fighters wear Kermel action
                        clothing. This guarantees minute-by-minute protection
                        against exposure to fire or heat flashes. |  
                      | Navy | Every day,
                        French, Canadian and German crews enjoy the Kermel fiber
                        experience. From onboard fire fighters to special
                        forces, at some time they all wear Kermel/FR viscose
                        shirts, suits, or even balaclavas for unrivalled comfort
                        and protection on the world's high seas. |  
                      | Police
                        forces | Many police
                        forces and national guard units around the world have adopted
                        Kermel fiber clothing: special intervention
                        forces, British and French riot squads, the Italian
                        Carabinieri, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. A full
                        range of products specifically designed for law and
                        order forces has been developed: oil-repellent fireproof
                        suits, underwear and other items |  
                      | Filtration | Thanks to its
                        exceptional performances, Kermel Tech fiber is used for smoke
                        filtration and increases the reliability and
                        durability of sleeve-type filters. The fiber has been
                        approved by several European manufacturers and is
                        particularly well adapted for use in installations that
                        operate at high temperatures, i.e. production of metals,
                        minerals, cements ; energy generation; waste
                        incineration, etc |  
                      |  |  |     
                 |  
                  | Grades 
                      fiberstow/topsspun yarns   |  |  
                  | Presentation
                    and processability Kermel fiber is available in
                    several forms suitable for various types of transformation,
                    cotton or worsted systems, with various counts. For the
                    worsted system, Kermel can be supplied as staple fiber or
                    broken top or carded and combed sliver. The fiber is
                    supplied already colored. It is solution-dyed before
                    spinning for lifelong colorfastness. Colors can withstand UV
                    light and washing.   Weaving
                    and knitting applications
                     
                      
                        | Presentation | Carded
                          and combed sliver | staple
                          fibers |  
                        | Count | 1,7
                          / 2,2 dtex | 1,7
                          / 2,2 dtex |  
                        | Cut
                          length | 80
                          - 100 - 120 mm | 40-50
                          mm or calibrated 60-80-100 or 80-100-120 mm |  
                        | Packaging | 500
                          kg, 400/450 kg and 200/250 kg bale | 170/190
                          kg bale |    Special
                    applications
                     
                      
                        | Presentation | staple
                          fibers |  
                        | Count | 1,7
                          / 2,2 / 3,9 / 5,6 / 7,1 dtex |  
                        | Cut
                          length | 40
                          - 50 - 60 - 90 mm |  
                        | For
                          flocking | short,
                          straight fibers of 1 to 10 mm |    |  
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