Heathcoat Fabrics uses Spectra in tough textiles
May 26, 2017 - United States Of America
Honeywell International’s Spectra fibre is being used in textiles designed for military and industrial applications. The fabrics to be created by Heathcoat Fabrics, a designer and manufacturer of technical textiles based in the UK, are meant to be light and comfortable for everyday wear but strong enough to withstand high-performance situations.
High-performance materials are in great demand across industries ranging from defence to sports to fashion. In an increasingly active and mobile world, there is a growing need for fabrics that combine strength properties such as abrasion resistance with protection properties such as cut and moisture resistance, all while staying lightweight and comfortable for wearers.
Spectra combines these versatile features. It is used by militaries and law enforcement personnel around the world in body armour, tactical clothing and vehicles. In industrial settings such as food preparation and manufacturing, Spectra protects workers through garments that provide some of the industry’s highest levels of slash and cut resistance.
“Spectra represents breakthrough innovation in high-performance technology. When we began developing textiles that could be used across military and industrial applications, we needed a fibre that had an industry-leading combination of strength, comfort and light weight. We found those properties in Spectra. Through our collaboration with Honeywell, our customers will now have access to the same groundbreaking technology that protects soldiers, police officers and factory workers,” said John Stimpson, business manager-woven industrial solutions, Heathcoat Fabrics.
Spectra is 15 times stronger than steel, yet light enough to float. It is made from ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process.
“Spectra is one of the most versatile fibres in the world, capable of protecting people from a range of potential obstacles and threats while also being flexible enough to wear every day. Honeywell’s scientists have worked extensively in R&D to ensure that Spectra is the next-generation solution for high-performance products that keep people safe, mobile and comfortable,” said Shari Litow, senior marketing manager, packaging and composites at Honeywell. (SV)
High-performance materials are in great demand across industries ranging from defence to sports to fashion. In an increasingly active and mobile world, there is a growing need for fabrics that combine strength properties such as abrasion resistance with protection properties such as cut and moisture resistance, all while staying lightweight and comfortable for wearers.
Spectra combines these versatile features. It is used by militaries and law enforcement personnel around the world in body armour, tactical clothing and vehicles. In industrial settings such as food preparation and manufacturing, Spectra protects workers through garments that provide some of the industry’s highest levels of slash and cut resistance.
“Spectra represents breakthrough innovation in high-performance technology. When we began developing textiles that could be used across military and industrial applications, we needed a fibre that had an industry-leading combination of strength, comfort and light weight. We found those properties in Spectra. Through our collaboration with Honeywell, our customers will now have access to the same groundbreaking technology that protects soldiers, police officers and factory workers,” said John Stimpson, business manager-woven industrial solutions, Heathcoat Fabrics.
Spectra is 15 times stronger than steel, yet light enough to float. It is made from ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process.
“Spectra is one of the most versatile fibres in the world, capable of protecting people from a range of potential obstacles and threats while also being flexible enough to wear every day. Honeywell’s scientists have worked extensively in R&D to ensure that Spectra is the next-generation solution for high-performance products that keep people safe, mobile and comfortable,” said Shari Litow, senior marketing manager, packaging and composites at Honeywell. (SV)