TRIMTRAX™ is our patented system of abrasion resistant KEVLAR® fiber cording that protects the threads securing our trim from abrasion. Anyone who has ever worn protective clothing is familiar with the phenomenon of trim separating from the garment, hanging loose, and eventually requiring repair or replacement. Emergency responders have complained long and loud about this problem and Globe has the answer: TRIMTRAX™.

First, we identified the real issue: trim in not a woven fabric so the thread cannot sink down between the fibers in the same way that traditional stitching does. The top thread of the stitch does. The top thread of the stitch actually sits on top of the trim and is therefore very susceptible to abrasion and snagging. And since the real issue is abrasion to the sewing thread, additional rows of stitching do nothing to solve the problem.

The solution, however, is simple. The sewing thread needs to be protected from the severe abrasion of everyday wear and tear. However, remembering the very strict requirements for any component of an NFPA labeled garment, the finished result must not in any way compromise the thread, the trim, or the garment.

Using specially developed equipment, the TRIMTRAX™ process stitches through a narrow strip of KEVLAR² fiber cording as the trim is sewn to the garment. The thread is protected by the cording so that the cording takes the abuse before the stitching is exposed. This process results in amazing abrasion resistance which is at least 5 times higher than traditional methods. And remember that two rows of stitching does nothing to alleviate abrasion.

In order to measure the effectiveness of TRIMTRAX™, we tested it on a Taber model 503 Standard Abrasion tester, using H-18 calibrate wheels and two 500 gram weights. Laboratory testing has shown that under these conditions a standard application using NOMEX² 24/4 thread and the 3M SCOTCHLITE™ trim, the abrasion will cause the top thread to break in as little as 7 cycles. We next tested the same thread, on the same trim using the same operator and the same sewing machine, but with the TRIMTRAX™ system. At 35 cycles, there is no thread breakthrough using the TRIMTRAX™ system.