CarbonX vs Nomex

[Dtangard]

Greetings,

I'm looking for fire resistant underwear. What would you recommend? Any insight is appreciated.

Derek

[WillM]

Hi Derek,

Do more research. Here's what I remember from the last time I looked at this stuff:

Compared to Nomex, Carbon X is softer, more comfortable, and doesn't shrink. My socks are CarbonX as is my new balaclava.

That said, I think you need to consider your other layers. Will you be wearing a suit? Will it be CarbonX or Nomex?

From what I understand, CarbonX provides (much) superior to flame protection than Nomex, however Nomex provides better protection from heat.

In a bad situation, I think I would be a little more worried about heat than I would be direct flame. That said, both scare the crap out of me.

My suit is 3-layer Nomex, and I'm due for a replacement. I need to brush up Nomex vs. CarbonX, thanks for asking the question!

Cheers,

Will

[Dtangard]

Will,

I think I'll go down to HMS and see what those guys say. If I get some good info, I'll be sure to relay it. Also, I am planning on buying a suit. I looked over an old thread on here and was leaning towards the GF-545 suit.

[CP]

CarbonX is WAY thinner than nomex and is a much looser weave. I equate this to COOLER in the cockpit. I switched from nomex to CarbonX socks last season and it was night and day. However they look pretty worn out after a season and I'll be replacing both pairs over the winter. In a perfect world where I don't have to choose whether to spend my money on either tires or underwear, I'd be wearing a CarbonX top and bottom beneath my 3-layer fire suit...as well as the fire resistant cool shirt (969 or something like that). I'm not a fan of balaclavas, as they're just too hot on my head. So when I'm looking to replace my helmet this winter with an air version, I'd like to find one that I can hook a fire resistant neck cover onto the bottom of, Kevin Harvick style.

[dradernh]

...as well as the fire resistant cool shirt (969 or something like that).

It's 986inc.com. Jason finally started shipping the fire-resistant shirts; I got mine in mid-October, despite his having charged my card when I placed the order quite awhile earlier (haven't seen that done in a very long time). I liked the non-FR shirt so much, I was willing to wait & give him the benefit of the doubt. Here's Jason's description of the FR fabric in the Pro-Shirt:

"It is a Kermel/Lenzing blend. Kermel is an Aramid Fiber which is inherently Fire Resistant. The structure of the fiber is fire resistant and will never wash out or wear out. Lenzing is also naturally fire resistant, but it is also is highly heat resistant making a perfect blend for a racer."

These provide more info on the blend & the two individual fabrics:

http://www.kermel.fr/site/KermelLENZING-FR-4292.html,
http://www.swicofil.com/kermel.html, and
http://www.security-technologynews.com/ ... flame.html.

While I have yet to wear the shirt, it feels like cotton to the touch; it's quite different from the stretch, form-fitting fabric of the non-FR Pro-Shirt.