KERNERSVILLE – In the aerospace industry, parts, components and materials are classified as life-critical and there can be no compromise when it comes to adherence to standards and specifications.

Even the slightest miscalculation can have disastrous consequences and companies must be certified by several organisations and demonstrate compliance with best practices before they can even begin to supply products to the industry.

North Carolina-headquartered Tex Tech Industries is a specialist in the development and manufacturing of high-performance nonwoven fire blocking materials for aircraft seats and their efficiency is due to specially engineered flame-resistant fibres that have been uniquely formulated through extensive research and development to deliver maximum durability and enhanced thermal resistance.

All non-metallic seat parts and components must meet the requirements of FAR 25.853 and the use of fire-blocking textiles is further stressed in FAR 121, Amendment 184. Compliance with these specifications requires the use of specialised fabrics to encapsulate the seat foam material.

Tex Tech’s fire blocking layers are custom-made and can be used on a variety of seating styles and arrangements for the crew, first-class, business class and economy. Their material durability has been thoroughly tested and proven to eliminate or control the spread of fires and fire-borne toxins. Additionally, they are resistant to wear, abrasion, and punctures, which can all expose the flammable underlying foam layer.

They are constructed from inherently fire-resistant fibres with a woven scrim component on one side for added abrasion resistance. All nonwoven materials are produced in-house, including blending, felting and finishing and material thickness and other properties can be modified to specifications.

The company’s fire blocking layers are also among the lightest on the market, with weights ranging from 105-370gsm.