Fabrication method for protective clothing eliminates the common heat-short by avoiding the stitch which is common to all layers, and preventing external exposure of any stitch to the outer environment. A unique overlap arrangement is described and additional protective methods are discussed

Johnston, R. S.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Line of Seam Stitching
Layer 3 
Layer 4 
Cementing 
December 1970
	
Brief 70-10544 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, 
Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief progam may be directed to the Tech-
nology Utilization Division, NASA, Code UT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Improved Heat- Resistant Garments 
Tacking	 — 
Stiches	 . 
	
Cementing	 7-'
.ayer 1
7- --Layer 2	 '---.' 
Layer 
	
	
X 
Aluminized 
 
Layer 4	
Surface

Layer 1 
Layer 2 
Seam Stitching
Bladder Layer 
Tacking
Outer Layer
Figure 1 Four Layers Before Seaming 
Improved fabric seam construction in multilayered 
materials has resulted in more effective, inexpensive 
clothing for firefighters and personnel working in 
difficult or dangerous environments. The problem 
with protective clothing has been that multilayer-
stitch construction compresses the garment layers 
along the stitching line. The spacing required between 
layers to enhance thermal insulation is reduced, and 
often produces a heat-short in the thermal insulating 
structure. Also, unitary seaming of all the layers causes 
increased tensile loads on individual seams which 
could result in greater abrasion, corrosion from heat 
or wear, or separation of the layers of the garment. 
The new method of fabrication eliminates the com-
mon heat-short by avoiding the stitch which is com-
mon to all layers, and preventing external exposure 
of any stitch to the outer environment. By first stitch-
Figure 2. Finished and Covered Seam 
ing the laminae of component layers and tacking these 
layers to one another, the stitches of each layer are 
staggered with respect to its adjacent layer. A unique 
overlap arrangement of the surface layer covers the 
tacking stitch; no single stitch or tack goes through 
the entire assembly. 
Figure 1 shows how layers 2 and 3 are sandwiched 
between layers I and 4 respectively. All layers are 
composed of laminae selected for their specific in-
sulative and protective characteristics. The laminae 
in each layer are physically connected to one another 
by tacking stitches which are unitized, and form the 
layer into a quilt-like pattern of stitching throughout. 
When each of the layers is unitized, layer 4 and layer 
3 are positioned so that the stitch lines of one layer are 
offset with respect to the stitch lines of the other 
layer. The stitching should be approximately inter-
iitied o'erlc.rI) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United •States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700000526 2020-03-17T00:36:26+00:00Z
mediate the stitch pattern of the adjacent layer to 
preclude transfer of heat through the stitches them-
selves from one layer to the next. Layer 2 is then placed 
upon layer 3 in like manner, so that the quilted lami-
nae of one layer are arranged and staggered with re-
spect to the tacking stitches of its adjacent layer. This 
stitching is accomplished in both longitudinal and 
lateral directions, as shown in Figure 2. Layer 4 is then 
similarly positioned. After layers 1, 2, 3 and 4 have 
been placed one upon the other as shown in Figure 1, a 
stitching seam is run through the entire structure to 
connect the layers integrally. The seam thus con-
stitutes the sole structural connection between the 
layers. To remove the seam from exposure to heat or 
dangerous environment, layers 1 and 2 are unfolded 
from layers 3 and 4. 
For further protection against a heat-short through 
the seam stitch, the underside of the stitch or seam 
joint is covered with a strip of material which con-
sists of 7 layers of a polyimide and 7 layers of mar-
quisette, characterized by nonflammability in air, and 
minimal flammability in oxygen. The interior surface 
of the strip is covered by an aluminized or reflective
coating. The marquisette consists of a weave of 
Fiberglas threads adapted to serve as spacers for the 
materials on either side. The entire strip is cemented 
to the underside of layer 4. Further protection from 
abrasion and/or tearing is acquired by use of a blad-
der layer which covers the aluminum strip and is ce-
mented along its terminal edges to layers 1 and 4. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Manned Spacecraft Center, Code BM7 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Reference: TSP70- 10544 
Patent status: 
This invention is owned by NASA, and a patent 
application has been filed. Royalty-free, nonexclusive 
licenses for its commercial use will be granted by 
NASA. Inquiries concerning license rights should be 
made to: 
Patent Counsel 
Mail Code AM 
Manned Spacecraft Center 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Source: Richard S. Johnston
Manned Spacecraft Center 
(MSC-12 109) 
Brief 70-10544	 Category 08


Improved heat-resistant garments

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