Pilot equipment: materials and technologies

Leather, fabrics, stretch, gortex, cordura, kevlar, mesh

Airguard, Nappa full grain leather, Sanitized treatment, Hipora membrane, TPU, EVA expanding foam ... All these materials with technical and barbaric names are used in the construction of the pilot's equipment for increased durability, protection and comfort. ... How to navigate? Decoding ...

If Gore-Tex or Kevlar are known, then the variety of technologies used does not always help to understand, especially since there are almost as many names as there are brands, sometimes with the same roles and different names.

Here is a glossary of different materials and technologies to help you better understand motorcycle apparel construction by category: abrasion resistance, shock absorption, leather type, thermal protection, waterproof materials, treatments and processes.

Abrasion resistance and protection

Airguard : This polyamide-based synthetic material keeps garments warm and resists abrasion and tears.

Aramid : This synthetic fiber made from nylon provides high tear and abrasion resistance. Its melting point is reached at 450 ° C. Aramid is the main component of Kevlar or Twaron.

Armacore : This fiber is made of Kevlar. It has the same abrasion resistance but is lighter in weight.

Armalite : Designed and used by Esquad, Armalith is a blend of interwoven cotton and technical fibers with very high abrasion resistance (superior to Kevlar) and retains the classic look of denim.

Clarino : This synthetic leather has the same properties as real leather, but retains all its elasticity after getting wet. It is mainly used in the design of gloves.

Chamude : synthetic microfiber, reminiscent of suede leather, and presented in a wide range of colors.

Cordura : Textile Cordura, Made of 100% polyamide nylon, provides good abrasion resistance. Its melting point is reached at 210 ° C. There are many Cordura derivatives available for the best performance in terms of resistance, elasticity or even water resistance.

Durilon : polyamide textile based on polyester, possessing good abrasion resistance.

Dinafil : This is a polyamide yarn, effective against abrasion and high temperature resistant. Its field of application concerns motorcycles, as well as mountaineering or fishing.

Dynatec : This fabric is the result of Dynafil weaving, it has good wear and abrasion resistance. Its melting point is reached at 290 ° C.

Dyneema : Polyethylene fiber is very resistant to abrasion as well as moisture, frost and UV radiation. It was originally used for cables and anti-ballistic protection prior to logical landing in motorcycle gear.

Keproshild : synthetic textile combining Kevlar, dynatec and cotton for high abrasion resistance.

Protect : a blend of Kevlar, polyamide and cordura originally developed for motorcycle racing. This combination provides high abrasion resistance while maintaining elasticity.

Keratan : This treatment aims to improve the abrasion resistance and flexibility of the material.

Kevkor : the cloth, combining Kevlar and Cordura fibers to provide good abrasion resistance.

Kevlar : Especially used in the construction of bulletproof vests, Kevlar is made of aramid and has good abrasion and tear resistance. However, it is sensitive to moisture and UV rays.

Knoxiguard : Woven 600 denier polyester synthetic fabric with special coating to resist abrasion. Used by the Ixon manufacturer.

Twaron : synthetic aramid fiber fabric, very heat resistant. Born in the 70s under the name Arenka, it evolved into Twaron in the 80s, which followed immediately after Kevlar, another brand using aramid.

Depreciation

D3O : This polymer material is flexible in its normal state, but has a high energy dissipation capacity. D3O, used for protective shells, offers greater comfort and greater freedom of movement than hard shells.

EVA : EVA refers to expanding foam mainly used in padding.

HDPE : high density polyethylene used mainly for enhancing protection.

ProFoam : viscoelastic the foam hardens on impact, dissipating energy.

ProSafe : Soft polyurethane foam used in back protectors, elbow protectors, shoulder protectors ...

Small businesses : thermoplastic elastomer or TPR - flexible impact protection.

TPU : TPU - durable, TPU provides waterproof, impact and abrasion resistance.

Skin types

Full-grain leather: "Full grain" leather is leather that retains its original thickness. Not cut, more resistant.

Cow skin : It is the main material in motorcycle leather clothing, renowned for its high abrasion resistance.

Goat skin : Thinner and lighter than cow leather, it is also windproof but less abrasion resistant. It is preferred for equipment requiring more flexibility, such as gloves.

Kangaroo skin : Soft and durable, kangaroo leather is lighter and thinner than cow leather, but has the same abrasion resistance. It is mainly found on racing suits and gloves.

Nappa leather : nappa leather, treated from the pile side to reduce pores. This treatment makes it softer and smoother, more stain resistant and a tighter fit.

Nubuck leather : nubuck refers to matte leather with a velvet effect to the touch. This treatment also makes the skin more breathable.

Leather Pittards : this skin, designed by Pittards, it combines comfort and protection. Waterproof, flexible and breathable, it is also very abrasion resistant.

Leather beam: Leather ray it is distinguished by its durability, which is much superior to other types of leather. However, it remains quite tough but is ideal for reinforcement, especially for gloves.

Thermal protection and ventilation

Bemberg : synthetic fabric with a shade similar to silk is used as a lining in addition to a heat protection element for more comfort.

coldblack : UV protection to prevent black and dark clothing from heating up in the sun.

Coolmax : flat weaving made of hollow fibers to quickly wick moisture away from the outside of the garment.

Desfil : synthetic material providing insulating properties and comfort close to goose down.

Dryarn : lightweight synthetic textile fiber combining lightness and temperature control. Mainly used on technical underwear.

Hyper Kewl : A fabric that absorbs water before dissipating it by evaporation to refresh the pilot.

Survive : This treatment absorbs and retains heat inside the garment.

Prima Loft : This synthetic textile is an insulating microfiber used in linings.

Schoeller PCM : As a result of space exploration, this material accumulates heat, releasing it when the temperature drops.

Softchell : This fleece feel is also windproof and water repellent.

TFL Cool : This technology reflects the sun's rays and prevents the equipment from overheating.

Thermolite : This textile is made of hollow fibers that wick moisture away from the garment.

Tinsulate : This is a cotton microfiber padding for thermal insulation. Mostly used in overlays.

Unitherm : This fabric is made of elastic microfiber to control perspiration and dissipate moisture quickly. Application example: inside a full face helmet.

Waterproof materials and membranes

Amara : waterproof synthetic leather.

BW2 Tech : waterproof, waterproof and breathable membrane - Bering's

Chamude : synthetic leather, having appearance and properties similar to natural leather, but with greater waterproofness.

Damoteks : waterproof, waterproof and breathable membrane - Subirac

D-Dry : waterproof, waterproof and breathable membrane - Dainese

DNS : It is a treatment that makes textiles water repellent and breathable.

Dristar : waterproof, waterproof and breathable membrane - Alpinestars

Gore-Tex : waterproof, waterproof and breathable Teflon membrane.

Gore-Tex X-Trafit : acquires characteristics of a Gore-Tex membrane in a three-layer laminate for use with gloves.

Gor-Tex Infinium : a three-layer laminated membrane that uses the principle of the original membrane, but without a waterproof function, to focus on the role of the windbreaker and more breathability.

H2Out : waterproof, waterproof and breathable membrane - Speedy

Hipora : waterproof and breathable polyurethane membrane.

Hydratex : waterproof, waterproof and breathable membrane - Rev'it

Lorica : Synthetic material similar to leather, more durable and waterproof. Lorica is also the name of the armor of Ancient Rome.

PU : Polyurethane - This material is waterproof.

SoltoTex : waterproof, waterproof and breathable membrane - IXS

SympaTex : Waterproof, waterproof and breathable membrane used in the design of boots and shoes.

Taslan : water repellent nylon fiber.

Teflon : PTFE is a highly water-repellent material that forms the basis of the construction of the Gore-Tex membrane.

Tritex : waterproof, waterproof and breathable membrane

Windout : Windproof membrane - Spidi

Antibacterial treatment and fiber

Nanophile : synthetic fiber with included silver, which plays an antibacterial role.

Disinfected : antibacterial, anti-odor and thermoregulatory fabric treatment.

SilverFunction : Antibacterial and thermoregulatory textile enriched with silver by ionization.

Elastic materials

Elastan : synthetic polyurethane fiber with high elongation. Elastane is the base of many fabrics such as lycra or spandex.

Flex Tenax : This polyamide and elastomer textile provides strength and elasticity.

Manufacturing processes

Laminate : This manufacturing process consists of assembling several layers by heat sealing. Membranes often include a three-layer laminate / membrane / textile laminate.

Сетка : Mesh (French mesh) is a weaving technique that creates a clean look and leaves room for many ventilation holes. It comes in several types (polyurethane, stretch ...) and is found almost exclusively on summer clothes.