Glossary

Click on a letter to see an explanation of technical terms beginning with that letter.

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Sources:
Definitions in this glossary have been compiled based on DuPont's experience and technical expertise in protective apparel as well as a number of external sources, including: "Glossary of terms and definitions by the European Committee for Standardisation."

A
Term Explanation
Abrasion resistance The ability of a material to withstand mechanical actions. It rates the resistance to surface abrasion, indicating the "in-wear" strength of the fabric outside surface during contact with rough surfaces. Rubbing on a wall or floor for example shouldn’t cause any damage on barrier performance.
Absorption Absorption may be either a physical or a chemical process. Chemical absorption involves chemical reactions between the absorbed substance and the absorbing medium. The absorption of chemicals by protective clothing materials is called permeation.
Acid A hydrogen-containing corrosive substance that reacts with water to produce hydrogen ions. Acids destroy human cells and create a burning ache when they reach the nerves.
Actual breakthrough time In a permeation test, the average elapsed time between initial contact of the chemical with the outside surface of the material and the time at which the chemical is detected at the inside surface of the material. Thus, the actual breakthrough time is dependent on the analyser sensibility. An actual breakthrough time of > 480 minutes and a permeation rate of "nd" (not detected) does not mean breakthrough has not occurred. It means that permeation was not detected after an observation time of eight hours. Permeation may have occurred, but at less than the minimum detectable permeation rate (MDPR) of the analytical device.
Acute Toxicity Quick response of the human body on the contact with a chemical, which causes disorders and troubles.
Aerosol Distribution of solid, liquid or solid and liquid particles in a gaseous medium, having a negligible falling velocity (generally considered to be less than 0,25 m/s).
Afterburn The period during which a fabric burns after the flame has been removed or extinguished. It is described in the European test method EN 532, which is part of the EN 469 and EN 531 standards for personal protective equipment.
Afterglow The period during which a fabric glows after the flame has been removed or extinguished. It is described in the European test method EN 532, which is included in the EN 469 and EN 531 standards for personal protective equipment.
Ageing Change of one or more initial properties of materials during the passage of time.
Agricultural chemicals Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and fertilisers used in agricultural applications to control pests and diseases or control/promote growth.
Air Mixture of gases that surrounds the earth. Major components are Nitrogen (78 %), Oxygen (21 %), Carbon Dioxide, Argon and Water Vapour.
Air Distribution System The means by which cooling and/or breathing air is delivered to and distributed in a protective suit.
Air permeability Air which passes through a material. Measured normally on one square meter of material per second under a defined pressure difference.
Air-Borne contaminants Solid, liquid or gaseous materials that are mixed in the air and spread with air movements. Chemical vapours will readily mix with moving air. In still air, heavier gases such as chlorine and petrol fumes will settle, whereas lighter gases such as natural gas or hydrogen will rise. Aerosols consisting of micron-size solid particles and liquid droplets can also be suspended in moving air but will settle at low air velocities or larger sizes. Asbestos, lead paint dusts, some agricultural chemicals, silica, radioactive particles, viruses, fungal spores, pollen and bacteria are examples of other air-borne contaminants of concern.
Alkali A metal-hydroxide-containing (-OH) corrosive substance that is soluble in water, neutralises acids and is irritating or destructive to tissue. The soapy feeling of Alkali on the skin is a result of the destruction of skin-cells.
Allergy Hypersensitive reaction of the immune system to an intruder. Typical symptoms are asthma, itching, hay fever and others.
Ambient Air Quality Quality of the surrounding air or circulating air.
Ambient Temperature The temperature of the surrounding area. Room temperature is an example of ambient temperature.
Analytical Technique A procedure which proofs the identity of a substance and/or determines its mass or volume.
Anhydrous Free from water, dry.
Anisotropic Non-symmetrical performance. Protective clothing fabric physical properties such as tearing strength or stretch often differ when measured across the sheet vs. the long axis of the fabric.
Antistatic treatment Adding a conductive coating or finishing treatment to the fabric helps prevent charge accumulation.
Apron A garment covering the front of the body from the chest to the legs.
Aramids Family of polymers with certain common properties. The molecules contain aromatic benzene rings and amide groups. DuPont manufactures fibres from two types of aramid : NOMEX® meta-aramid and KEVLAR® high strength para-aramid. DuPont has aramid manufacturing plants in the United States, Japan, Great Britain and Spain.
Arm guard A protective device covering the forearm.
Asbestos Asbestos is a term given to six naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are incombustible and separable into filaments. The fibres are strong, durable, and resistant to heat and fire. The asbestos fibres can be divided into two main categories : amphibole and serpentine asbestos. Amphibole fibres used commercially (amosite, crocidolite) are extremely hazardous. Because of their chemical structure, relatively high iron content and straight, needlelike fibres, amphiboles are very dusty, as well as highly biopersistent. The most common serpentine fibre is chrysotile, considerably less hazardous than amphibole fibres. Its fibres are characterised by high tensile strength, resistance to alkalies, high flexibility and good spinnability but also by becoming very easily electrostatically charged. Chrysotile also known as "white asbestos" is the most commonly used asbestos fibre. Asbestos can cause serious health problems.
Aseptic Sterile, free of viable microbiological contamination.
Asphyxiant A vapour or gas, that can cause unconsciousness or death by suffocation (lack of oxygen). Can also be a blocking of the air-flow into the lungs (example : plastic bag).
Assay Test system to determine the presence or concentration of a particular component.
Assay fluid A liquid, sometimes sterile, used to carry the test specimen into the analytical system (i.e. to determine microbiological penetration).
Assessment of risk The process of determining the nature and degree of a hazardous material or a hazard.
ASTM The American Society for Testing Materials establishes voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems and services. The society sponsors research projects and develops standard test methods, specifications and recommended practices in use.
Attachment point (chemical protective clothing) A fixing to the outside of the suit to enable equipment required to be fitted, e. g. torch or safety line.