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Fabric Layers
Cairns Outer Shell Materials

PBI MATRIX (Cairns #11)
PBI MATRIX is the latest version of PBI fabric which has achieved a remarkable record of performance. Like its predecessor, PBI MATRIX is engineered to withstand the most sever temperatures and offers proven durability, comfort and felxibility. PBI MATRIX uses a web of filament KEVLAR for even greater tear and tensile strength and the flat plain weave construction provides even better abrasion resistance than the original. PBI MATRIX is everything you know and love about PBI, only stronger!

Content : 40% PBI, 60% KEVLAR
Weight : 7.5 oz/yd2 plain weave reinforced with KEVLAR filament
Colors : Gold, Black
Supplier : Southern Mills
Attributes :
  • Superior thermal stability
  • Excellent tensile and tear strengths
  • Excellent abrasion resistance
  • Durable water repellent SST finish

PBI (Cairns #10)
For many years, this has been our highest performance and most popular shell fabric. With the advent of PBI MATRIX, many of our customers who swear by the performance of PBI are moving up to the new and imporved version - PBI MATRIX.

Content : 40% PBI, 60% KEVLAR
Weight : 7.5 oz/yd2 rip-stop weave
Colors : Gold, Black
Supplier : Southern Mills
Attributes :
  • Superior thermal stability
  • Very good tensile and tear strengths
  • Very good abrasion resistance
  • Durable water repellent SST finish

MILLENIA®XT (Cairns #30)
MILLENIA®XT is a relatively newer entry into the turnout gear outer shell arena, but ifyour problem is durability, MILLENIA is an amazingly strong solution.

Content : 40% PBO, 60% Para-Aramid
Weight : 7.7 oz/yd2 ripstop weave
Colors : Gold
Supplier : Southern Mills
Attributes :
  • Superior thermal stability
  • Superior tensile and tear strengths
  • Superior abrasion resistance
  • Durable water repellent SST finish

ADVANCE ULTRA (Cairns #47)
A brand new tri-blend from Southern Mills provides a step up in performance from their proven ADVANCE outer shell by adding some PBO fiber.

Content : 20% PBO, 20% NOMEX, 60% KEVLAR
Weight : 7.5 oz/yd2 ripstop weave
Colors : Yellow, Light Gold, Dark Gold, Black Gold
Supplier : Southern Mills
Attributes :
  • Very good thermal stability
  • Excellent tensile and tear strengths
  • Excellent abrasion resistance
  • Durable water repellent SST finish

ADVANCE (Cairns #27)
Combining the proven performance of NOMEX with the high strength of KEVLAR, ADVANCE provides a very good balance of performance, durability, and cost

Content : 40% NOMEX, 60% KEVLAR
Weight : 7.2 oz/yd2 ripstop weave
Colors :

Gold, Yellow, Khaki, Black *
*Black is producer colored for dye stability
*Black content is 50% NOMEX, 50% KEVLAR

Supplier : Southern Mills
Attributes :
  • Very good TPP values
  • Very good tensile and tear strengths
  • Very good abrasion resistance
  • Durable water repellent finish

BASOFIL (Cairns #29)
The heat blocking ability of BASOFIL fiber in this outer shell allows it to be combined with lightweight thermal liners and still achieve high TPP values.

Content : 40% BASOFIL, 60% KEVLAR
Weight : 7.5 ripstop weave
Colors : Gold, Black, Yellow (special order)
Supplier : Nor-Fab
Attributes :
  • Excellent TPP values
  • Good tensile and tear strengths
  • Good abrasion resistance
  • Durable water repellent finish

NOMEX IIIA (Cairns #07)
Earning a well-deserved reputation for proven performance for three decades, NOMEX IIIA provides protection at an affordable price.

Content : 93% NOMEX, 5% KEVLAR, 2% Anti-Static
Weight : 7.5 oz/yd2 plain weave
Colors :

Yellow, Black, Tan, White, Red, Royal Blue

Supplier : Southern Mills
Attributes :
  • Basic thermal stability
  • Very good tensile and tear strengths
  • Basic abrasion resistance
  • Durable water repellent SST finish

Aluminized PBI (Cairns #18)
Recommended for proximity environments where radiant heat is encountered such as aircraft rescue and industrial applications, this fabric utilizes a reflective aluminized film for radiant heat resistance laminated to a knit fabric blend of PBI and Para-Aramid fibers for thermal stability.

Content : 30% PBI, 70% Para-Aramid
Weight : 7.0 oz/yd2 knit with laminated aluminized film
Colors :

Silver

Supplier : Gentex
Attributes :
  • Highly reflective for superior resistance to radiant heat
  • Lightweight and flexible
  • Engineered for proximity applications