PBI (polybenzimidazole)
Also known as: Polybenzimidazole, PBI fiber
Ultra heat-resistant high-performance fibre for firefighter and space suits — does not melt, does not ignite, LOI 41.
Description
PBI (polybenzimidazole, full name poly[2,2'-(m-phenylene)-5,5'-bisbenzimidazole]) is an aromatic high-performance fibre developed in 1961 by Carl Shipp Marvel and the US Air Force in the aftermath of the Apollo programme. It has no melting point, essentially does not ignite in air (LOI 41) and keeps its structure up to about 540 °C. Moisture regain is 13 % (close to cotton at 16 %), which makes it significantly more skin-friendly than other flame fibres.
Industrially PBI is rarely used pure but as a PBI/Kevlar blend (typically 40 % PBI / 60 % aramid) under brand names such as PBI Matrix, PBI Max, PBI Gold. Uses: firefighter turnout jackets and trousers (structural attack, EN 469), motorsport suits (FIA 8856-2018), gloves for foundry and glass handling, historic Apollo and current NASA inner suits, military bail-out suits. Because of the very high cost (several times Nomex) PBI is the premium standard for life-critical heat exposure.
- Melting point: none (decomposes at ~540 °C)
- LOI: 41 (virtually non-flammable)
- Moisture regain: 13 % (skin-friendly)
- Typically blended PBI/aramid 40:60
Properties
| Melting point | none (decomposes ~540 °C) |
|---|---|
| LOI | 41 |
| Moisture regain | 13 % |
| Typical blend | 40 % PBI / 60 % aramid |
| Standards | EN 469, FIA 8856-2018 |
| Application | Firefighter turnout, motorsport suits, spacesuits |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Polybenzimidazole fiber Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polybenzimidazole_fiber
