SuperFabric is a cut and abrasion resistant material, and a registered trademark of Higher Dimension Materials, Inc. As a

technical fabric Technical may refer to: * Technical (vehicle), an improvised fighting vehicle * Technical analysis, a discipline for forecasting the future direction of prices through the study of past market data * Technical drawing, showing how something is co ...

, SuperFabric is created with a base fabric such as nylon, polyester, neoprene, crepe, etc. and is overlaid with tiny, hard guard plates in a specific pattern. Spacings between the guard plates allow a degree of flexibility,

breathability Breathability is the ability of a fabric to allow moisture vapor to be transmitted through the material. Mechanism Air permeability is the ability of a fabric to allow air to pass through it. While air permeable fabrics tend to have relatively hig ...

and are small enough to keep most sharp objects from penetrating. This guard plate technology protects the base fabric and contributes to the durability of the material. The geometry, thickness, and size of the guard plates, as well as the base fabric, vary depending on industry requirements. Customized and optional properties include flame resistance and specialized grip.

Properties

Cut resistance

SuperFabric materials have tiny raised guard plates to deflect sharp objects that would otherwise tear the underlying base fabric. These guard plates are advertised to act as a protective barrier contributing to the overall longevity of the material by reducing the likelihood that a sharp object will damage the fibers.

Abrasion resistance

SuperFabric's manufacturer claims that its guard plates provide a flexible armor that resists abrasion and protects the underlying base fabric

Puncture resistance

Specific SuperFabric materials are designed to protect against

surgical Surgery ''cheirourgikē'' (composed of χείρ, "hand", and ἔργον, "work"), via la, chirurgiae, meaning "hand work". is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a person to investigate or treat a pat ...

and

hypodermic needle A hypodermic needle (from Greek ὑπο- (''hypo-'' = under), and δέρμα (''derma'' = skin)), one of a category of medical tools which enter the skin, called sharps, is a very thin, hollow tube with one sharp tip. It is commonly used w ...

Additional properties

Fire resistance can be achieved by selection of resin and base fabric during manufacturing. The process used to make SuperFabric materials allows customization of surface properties with additional coatings such as

silicone A silicone or polysiloxane is a polymer made up of siloxane (−R2Si−O−SiR2−, where R = organic group). They are typically colorless oils or rubber-like substances. Silicones are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medicine, cooking ...

to improve grip on smooth surfaces such as metal, glass, and laminate. Most SuperFabric materials are highly resistant to stains. Many stains bead up on the surface of SuperFabric, which can make for easy cleaning, while retaining their protective and durable properties.

Applications

There is a wide range of applications for SuperFabric: * Technical outdoor apparel * Military, law enforcement * Commercial food-processing protection * Industrial safety and protection * Motorcycle apparel and accessories * Heavy-duty diving suit protection (U.S. Coast Guard, etc.) * Cleaning products (scrub pads, etc.) * Vehicle seats and accessories

References

{{reflist

External links

SuperFabric Homepage
Technical fabrics Safety clothing Motorcycle apparel