Nomex®

Overview

A brand associated with heat-resistant meta-aramid materials and related product forms.

Feel and behavior

Depends on the specified fiber grade, yarn and fabric construction.

Where you find it

See the linked underlying material and the producer’s product-specific documentation.

Source and geography

Nomex is a meta-aramid brand owned by Arclin since 1 April 2026, when Arclin completed its roughly 1.8 billion dollar purchase of DuPont's Aramids business, which also included Kevlar. Arclin is a portfolio company of an affiliate of TJC, L.P. The generic fiber is meta-aramid, poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (MPIA). The brand covers fibers, papers and other product forms used in protective clothing, electrical insulation and honeycomb structures.

Worth knowing

• Nomex IIIA includes 2% of a carbon-based antistatic fiber, P-140, to reduce the risk of static discharge in hazardous environments.
• Nomex paper, made from meta-aramid short fibers and fibrids, is folded into honeycomb cores used in aircraft interior panels.

Types, grades and fabrics

Types and grades

Nomex covers several product forms built on meta-aramid. The best-known textile blend is Nomex IIIA, which DuPont specified as 93% Nomex meta-aramid, 5% Kevlar para-aramid and 2% P-140, a carbon-based antistatic fiber; the para-aramid adds strength and break-open resistance, and the antistatic fiber reduces static discharge. Other Nomex fabrics use different blends and constructions, including those for firefighter turnout gear. Beyond textiles, Nomex paper, made from short fibers and binding fibrids, insulates motors and transformers, and Nomex honeycomb, made from that paper, forms light panels for aircraft interiors. Fabric weight also varies; some industrial coveralls use about 4.5 ounces per square yard, and heavier weights give more thermal insulation.

Fabrics and products

Nomex fabrics are made into firefighter turnout gear and station wear, military aircrew and armored-vehicle crew coveralls, motorsport suits, gloves and balaclavas, and industrial flame-resistant coveralls and shirts for oil, gas, chemical and electrical work. Knit Nomex appears in hoods and underlayers. Some protective fabrics blend meta-aramid with flame-resistant cellulosics or modacrylic to improve comfort and moisture handling. Nomex paper and honeycomb serve electrical insulation and aerospace structures rather than apparel.

Buying and care

How to judge quality

Buy flame-resistant clothing on certification: garments should carry labels showing the standards they meet, such as NFPA 2112 for flash fire protection in industrial settings in the US or EN ISO 11612 in Europe, and an arc rating where electrical hazards exist. Check the fabric weight and blend on the label, since lighter fabrics give less thermal protection. Genuine Nomex fabric is labeled aramid with the percentage; 'FR' alone does not tell you whether flame resistance is inherent or a chemical treatment. Look for intact reflective trim, seams sewn with flame-resistant thread, and no contamination or holes on used gear.

Care in detail

Home or industrial laundering is usually allowed, but follow the garment label and, for firefighter gear, the manufacturer's instructions and the fire department's cleaning program. Wash contaminated gear separately from household laundry, promptly, to remove oils, grease and fuels that can ignite. Use regular detergent at moderate temperatures; avoid chlorine bleach, which weakens aramid and fades color. Tumble dry at low to moderate settings and remove promptly to limit shrinkage. Inspect for holes, thin areas, damaged reflective trim and seam failure, and retire garments that no longer meet the standard. Store away from sunlight.

Care at a glance

Follow the finished product’s care label. A trademark does not specify the care needs of every blend or construction.

Environmental and social footprint

Independent life-cycle data specific to Nomex were not found for this entry. Meta-aramid is made from m-phenylenediamine and isophthaloyl chloride in polar amide solvents, releasing hydrochloric acid that is neutralized, and spinning and hot drawing are energy intensive, so per-kilogram impacts are likely higher than commodity fibers, though not quantified here. Garments are durable and inherently flame resistant, which avoids the flame-retardant chemical finishes used on treated cotton and their wash-out over time. At end of life, used protective clothing may be contaminated with combustion products, and aramid recycling mostly means mechanical shredding for lower-value uses. Current environmental reporting should come from Arclin, which has owned the business since April 2026.

Tradeoffs

Producer claims apply to defined products and comparisons. This atlas does not independently certify performance, sourcing or environmental claims.

A useful question to ask: Which exact grade, composition and current producer documentation apply to this product?

Science

Data sheet

Application-specific engineered material

Read the exact polymer, precursor and grade before comparing performance.

Structure and chemistry

In MPIA, benzene rings are linked through amide groups at their meta (1,3) positions. The meta linkage puts a bend into each repeat unit, so the chain is kinked rather than rod-like, which prevents liquid-crystal formation and yields lower orientation and modulus than para-aramid. The aromatic rings and dense hydrogen bonding still give a very high glass transition and thermal stability, and the polymer decomposes before it melts. Fibers are typically round in cross-section, with textile-like elongation.

From source to yarn

In the generally described route, m-phenylenediamine reacts with isophthaloyl chloride by polycondensation in a polar amide solvent. The resulting polymer solution, neutralized to remove hydrochloric acid, is spun by dry or wet spinning, then washed, drawn at high temperature and crystallized. Fibers are cut to staple or kept as filament and made into flame-resistant fabrics, often blended with a small proportion of para-aramid and antistatic fiber for garment stability. Nomex paper is made by combining short fibers and fibrids in a paper-making process followed by calendering.

Performance in use

Meta-aramid's value lies in heat and flame behavior: it does not melt or drip, self-extinguishes when the flame is removed, and when heated strongly it chars and thickens, forming an insulating barrier. It keeps useful strength at elevated temperatures. Its tenacity and modulus are much lower than para-aramid, making it a textile fiber with a comfortable hand. It is hard to dye and is often producer-dyed. UV exposure causes yellowing and some strength loss. Protective ratings depend on tested fabric and garment.

How it is identified

Burn tests are indicative only and not a substitute for standard flame testing: meta-aramid chars and shrinks without melting or dripping and self-extinguishes. Microscopy shows smooth, round filaments. FTIR spectra distinguish meta-aramid from para-aramid and from flame-retardant cellulosics or modacrylics. Nomex is sometimes used as a generic term for any flame-resistant garment; blend composition and certification must be checked.

History

Timeline

1. 1967DuPont first marketed Nomex meta-aramid, developed in the early 1960s. [2]
2. 2025DuPont agreed on 29 August to sell its Aramids business, including Nomex, to Arclin. [3]
3. 2026Arclin completed the acquisition on 1 April and now owns the Nomex brand. [4]

Nomex’s history connects polymer science with thermal-protection systems. Its official brand destination now identifies Arclin; fabric and garment specifications remain essential.

The deeper record

Nomex emerged from DuPont's work on high-temperature aromatic polyamides and became a cornerstone of flame-resistant clothing for firefighters, military aircrew, racing drivers and industrial workers, as well as electrical insulation paper. It remained part of DuPont through the company's many reorganizations. In August 2025 DuPont agreed to sell its Aramids business, including Nomex, to Arclin; the transaction closed on 1 April 2026, with DuPont receiving cash, a note and a minority stake in Arclin. Readers should confirm current ownership with Arclin.

Labeling and law

Nomex is a trademark, not a generic name. US labels must use aramid under the FTC definition at 16 CFR 303.7, and EU labels aramid under Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011. Flame-resistant protective garments are additionally assessed against product-specific performance standards that are independent of fiber labeling; a fabric's compliance should be confirmed from test certificates for the exact fabric and garment, not from the fiber brand.

This describes what rules and standards cover. It is not legal advice; jurisdiction, product form and current rule text control.

Frequently asked

What is Nomex IIIA?

It is a flame-resistant fabric blend specified as 93% Nomex meta-aramid, 5% Kevlar para-aramid and 2% P-140 antistatic fiber. The Kevlar adds strength so the fabric resists breaking open in a flash fire, and the antistatic fiber reduces static sparks.

Does Nomex's flame resistance wash out?

No. The flame resistance comes from the meta-aramid polymer itself, not a finish, so it lasts the life of the garment. Protection can still be compromised by contamination with flammable soils, wear, holes or UV damage, so inspection matters.

Is Nomex fireproof?

No fabric is fireproof. Nomex resists ignition, does not melt and self-extinguishes, which reduces burn injury and gives escape time. Protection depends on the garment design, fabric weight, layers underneath and the exposure time.

Sources

• Nomex: Official product information
• Arclin: Arclin Completes Acquisition of the DuPont Aramids Business, Including Kevlar and Nomex Brands
• DuPont Investors: DuPont Completes Divestiture of Aramids Business (2026)
• DuPont: DuPont Announces Agreement to Divest Aramids Business to Arclin
• Textile World: Arclin completes acquisition of the DuPont Aramids business, including Kevlar and Nomex
• eCFR: 16 CFR 303.7, Generic names and definitions for manufactured fibers
• DuPont Australia: Nomex III A
• ScienceDirect Topics: Nomex, an overview
• Taylor and Francis Knowledge: Nomex
• Wikipedia: Nomex

Cite this page

Chaos. (2026). Nomex®. In Fibers of Earth: An independent textile atlas. https://www.hendrickresearch.com/fibers/materials/nomex/