The Best Choice | Our Top Quality | High Washing Performance | Aramid Material |Silver Color | Flame Resistant | Industrial Wash 75 cycles @ 75°C (ISO 15797) | Dry-Cleaning 100 cycles (ISO 3175) OEKO-TEX 100 | EN ISO 20471 | ANSI-ISEA 107 | NFPA 1971/1977/2112

V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material Descriptions

V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Flame Resistant and Industrial Wash Retro-Reflective Fabric/Tape (the above product code) is designed for use on flame resistant safety garments requiring industrial laundry.

When properly used, V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Flame Resistant and Industrial Wash Retro-Reflective Fabric/Tape help enhance the visibility of the wearer in nighttime or low-light conditions when illuminated by a light source such as headlights, by returning the light back toward the original source and reaching the automobile driver's eye.

V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Reflective Fabric/Tape is composed of wide angle, exposed retro-reflective lenses bonded to a flame resistant, durable, fire treated textile fabric.

The different level of industrial wash, light-weight, or heave-duty, may be applied to different garments. Harsher level of industrial wash will more significantely diminish the reflective intensity of retro-reflective tape each time of industrial wash cycle, and shorten its lifetime. Customers should choose the proper grade of flame resistance and industrial wash resistance of retro-reflective tape when they are evaluting the budget and life-span of garment.

V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Flame Resistant and Industrial Wash Retro-Reflective Fabric/Tape is classified into several grades of industrial wash cycles resistance. Options of 30, 60, 75 industrial wash cycles are available at present. 

Physical Performance

V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Retro-Reflective Fabric/Tape meets or exceeds the following specifications as noted. All R_A values are over 100 cd/lux/m² measured at +5.0° entrance angle and 0.2° observation angle after tests are carried out according to following test method

Retro-reflectivity (initial): ANSI/ISEA 107-2010 level 2 , EN ISO 20471

OEKO-TEX 100

Abrasion: 5000 cycles (EN 530 Method 2) | R_A  >100 

Flexing: 7500 cycles (ISO 7854 Method A) | R_A  > 100 

Cold Fold: -20° (ISO 4675) | R_A  >100 

Temperature Variation: 50 hours @ 50 °C and 20 hours @ -30 °C | R_A  > 100 

Home Wash: 100 cycles @ 60°C (ISO 6330) | R_A  > 100 

Dry-Cleaning: 50 / 100 cycles (ISO 3175) | R_A  > 100 | (See the specific product codes)

Wet Reflectivity: ANSI-ISAE 107-2010, EN ISO 20471 | R_A  > 100

Industrial Wash: 30 / 60 / 75 / 100 cycles @ 75°C (ISO 15797) | R_A  > 100 | (See the specific product codes)

Flame Resistant and Fire Retardant: 

• EN 469:2005; EN ISO 14116:2008; EN ISO 11611:2015; EN ISO 11612:2015;
• NFPA 1971:2013; NFPA 1977:2016; NFPA 2112:2012

Inherent versus Treated Flame Resistant Fabrics

What are the differences between ?inherent? and ?treated? flame resistant fabrics?

Inherently flame resistant fibers are materials that have flame resistance built into their chemical structures. Aramid fibers from companies like DuPont create inherently flame resistant fibers, with brands such as DuPont? Kevlar® and DuPont? Nomex®. The actual structure of the fiber itself is not flammable. For inherently flame resistant fibers, the protection is built into the fiber itself and can never be worn away or washed out. In the case of Nomex®, when exposed to flame, the aramid fiber swells and becomes thicker, forming a protective barrier between the heat source and the skin. This protective barrier stays supple until it cools, giving the wearer vital extra seconds of protection to escape.

The other main category is flame-retardant treated (FRT) fabrics. These materials are made flame-resistant by the application of flame-retardant chemicals. A chemical additive in the fiber or treatment on the fabric is used to provide some level of flame retardancy. During a fire, chemically dependent fabrics rely on a chemical reaction to extinguish the flame. This reaction is triggered by the heat of the fire and the amount of time the fabric is exposed to the fire.

It is very difficult to determine whether protection has been compromised with an FRT fabric. There are ways to test it. Unfortunately, all of these test methods are destructive ? there really is no way to test a garment to determine what its current level of flame resistance or arc protection value is, without destroying the garment in a flame or arc flash test.

The flame-resistant (FR) properties of inherently flame resistant fabrics, on the other hand, cannot be washed out or worn away, period. This means the flame-resistant properties of garments made of inherent fibers cannot be compromised. It is crucial for the wearer to know the flame-resistant protection is always there.

Laundering?s impact on flame resistance

An essential thing to keep in mind when assessing flame-resistant technologies is that inherent flame resistant properties cannot be washed out or damaged through exposure to chemicals in the workplace or laundering practices, whether at-home or commercial. FR-treated garments, however, may be damaged by chlorine bleach, the combination of hydrogen peroxide (?oxygen bleach?) with hard water, or exposure to oxidizing chemicals in the workplace.

How a garment will respond to a snag or a rip.

What By the time you've laundered only ten times with chlorine bleach, the FR effectiveness of FR-treated cotton is, in essence, eliminated. Both fabrics made of Nomex® and Protera® maintain their flame resistance well into 30 launderings even in the presence of chlorine bleach.

Arc rating values retained after multiple washes.

Can FR properties be removed from a garment?

For FR-treated fabric, such as FR cotton/nylon blends, one way to remove its flame-resistant properties is to use regular chlorine bleach while washing the garment. While use of chlorine bleach may not be recommended per some fabric manufacturers? laundry instructions, this can happen in the real world. It does not take many washes with chlorine bleach to damage the flame resistance of a FR cotton or cotton/nylon fabric. And unfortunately, the wearer would not be able to tell it was no longer flame-resistant simply by looking at the garment. With inherent fabrics, the flame-resistant properties cannot be removed.

Additional FR-treated garment vulnerabilities

Besides chlorine bleach, there are other chemicals that could damage the flame-resistant properties of FR treated apparel. For example, the combination of hydrogen peroxide (a type of oxygen bleach) with ?hard? water during laundering could compromise the FR properties of garments made with FR-treated fabrics. And exposure to oxidizing (e.g., chlorine-containing) chemicals in the workplace may, over time, compromise the flame-resistant properties of garments made with FR-treated fabrics.

Inherent flame resistant fabrics drive overall value

Inherent flame resistant fabric-based technologies from DuPont help personnel work with constant protection. Remember, with flame-resistant fabrics made from DuPont? Nomex® fiber and Protera®, there will be no washing out or wearing away of their inherent flame resistant properties, which helps make for a longer garment lifecycle, value and peace of mind for the wearer.

Retro-reflective Performance

V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Retro-Reflective Fabric/Tape exceeds the minimum reflectivity requirements of EN ISO 20471, ANSI/ISEA 107 Level 2, when tested at e = 0° or e = 90° in accordance with the procedures stated on standards. Minimum coefficients of retro-reflection required by standards are shown as below table.

Coefficient of Retro-reflection * (R' or R_A ) cd/lux/m²

Measured on new product at +5.0° entrance and 0.2° observation angles, V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material -  Retro-Reflective Fabric/Tape typically has retro reflective performance as below table.

Industrial Wash Guidelines

Industrial laundering means regularly washing large amounts of clothing in a relatively short amount of time, with large machines (>25 kg loads), aggressive detergent chemistry (pH10.5-12), and high wash temperatures (up to 85^oC, 185^oF).

Garment finishing (tumble dry or tunnel finish) can limit garment life and should be considered as part of the cleaning process. Using harsher cleaning condition than those recommended may significantly reduce product performance.

Washing

• Wash chemistry: Do not use detergents that contain free sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
• Maximum wash temperature: 75 °C (165 °F)
• Break/suds cycles: less than 15 minutes total

Drying

• Tunnel dry: Maximum inlet temperature 120 °C (250 °F)
  • For some items, maximum temperature could be as high as 155 °C 
• Tumble dry: Maximum exhaust temperature 90 °C (195 °F)

Special Remarks for Industrial Wash (Industrial Laundry)

ISO 15797 Textiles - Industrial washing and finishing procedures for testing of workwear

V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - (Flame Resistant) Industrial Wash Retro-Reflective Tapes were tested to ISO 15797, and classified into several quality levels according to their test results. The higher industrial wash cycles means longer time of durability when retro-reflective tape is sewn on or ironed on to safety garment.

Safety garments producers could choose the proper quality level of retro-reflective tape for sewing on their garments for specific purposes, such as, brand up-lifting, input cost cutting, quality level improving , extra value adding, ......

The industrial cleaning of protective clothing is very different from domestic or small commercial cleaning. The scale, the use of special washing and drying equipment and the use of special detergents all have a different effect on clothing and textiles.

The effects which occur as a result of the cleaning are dependent on the type of clothing, the fabric composition and the selected washing and drying process.

For different types of protective clothing, the following remarks are important but always follow the cleaning instructions of the manufacturer.

Clothing made from predominantly cotton

In many cases protective clothing are flame retardant products e.g. comply with EN ISO 11611 or 11612. These predominantly cotton clothing features a washable flame resistant finish.

In general, for the washing and drying of clothing made from predominantly cotton, the following applies:

• Do not "over dry" the clothing. This may lead to excessive shrinkage.
• The maximum number of washes is sometimes indicated in the care label and or the user instruction. If this is not specified then the clothing is tested to five times washing In practice the clothing will last longer but this must be sought from the supplier or manufacturer.

High visibility clothing

Protective clothing that complies with EN ISO 20471 has fluorescent fabric and retroreflective stiping. In general, for the washing and drying of these garments the following applies:

• Do not wash together with other (dark) coloured garments due to potential colour bleeding on the fluorescent colour.
• Never bleach or wash with white wash detergents (containing optical white).
• Irremovable soilling can reduce visibility.
• Excessive mechanical washing action can promote wear of the retroreflective striping.

Protective clothing against splashes of liquid chemicals

This clothing is usually characterized by that the protective properties are obtained by applying a fluorcarbon finish. These finishes are in some extent washable. Nevertheless, it is advisable to restore the finish after every washing cycle.
In general, for the washing and drying of this type of clothing the following applies:

• Use for washing an anionic detergent. (Non-ionic detergents have better washing action but are more difficult to remove in the rinsing process. Not removed detergent impede the water repellency action).
• After each washing cycle, apply a suitable fluorcarbon product to restore the repellency.
• Dry at sufficiently high temperature to activate the fluorcarbon finish but avoid excessive shrinkage.
• Check the effectiveness of the post-treatment at regular intervals.

Parkas and other multi-layer clothing

Characteristic for this type of garment is that they often contain a water vapour-permeable layer. However, this layer is also watertight and provided with tape on the seams.

This kind of clothing can be washed best in an open-end machine where special attention is needed to the dewatering (spin drying). This must be done in a way that this layer will not be damaged.

Multinorm clothing

Because multinorm clothing combines many of the above-mentioned types, to determine the most suitable industrial laundry process, all of the above mentioned recommendations will apply.

Labelling regarding the industrial laundry and drying of workwear and protective wear

ISO 30023 shows how industrial washable clothing can be labeled so that it is clear to the industrial laundry what washing and drying process is applicable.

The numbers 1 to 8 represent the number of the washing and drying procedures as specified in ISO 15797.
Furthermore, two symbols can be used which indicate whether the clothing can be dried in a tunnel finisher, or a drum dryer. If not applicable, this symbol is omitted from the label.

Cleaning (Flame Resistant) Industrial Wash Retro-Reflective Tapes/Trims by Home Wash

V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - (Flame Resistant) Industrial Wash Retro-Reflective Tapes/Trims are applicable to home wash (domestic laundry) as well. Following the recommended home wash guidelines will significantly increase the lifespan of industrial wash retro-reflective tape.

Handling Precautions

V-REFLEX^TM  Reflective Material - Retro-Reflective Fabric/Tape contains an aluminum layer as part of their construction. Blemishing of this aluminum layer can occur if surface of the product has direct contact from hands during application and is then exposed to hot and humid conditions, greater than 26.7 °C (80 °F) and greater than 70% relative humidity, for a period of weeks. These blemishes do not affect performance of the product. But potential blemishes should be carefully considered as an important risk in marketing of end-use products.

V-REFLEX^TM  Reflective Material - Retro-Reflective Fabric/Tape contains an sand-feeling reflective layer which is bonded to a textile fabric via an eco-friendly adhesive. Chemical moisture, liquid, oil, or other chemical elements may lead to a series of chemical reactions for a certain period of time, then result in a series unexpected subsequence on the reflective layer of fabric. Any remains of chemical elements happen to direct contacting to surface of fabric should be cleaned immediately.

We recommend that all customers, in accordance with good manufacturing practices, establish an ongoing quality system which includes maintaining lot/roll identification throughout the garment production process.

Customer should also store input materials and final products in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, as well as implement continuous testing throughout their production and on their finished garments that reflects their garment needs.

For lamination operations, customers should periodically check their equipment to ensure that the temperature set point matches the platen or roll temperature and that the temperature is uniform across the lamination area.

Specific Safety Information

Various environmental factors, like line of sight, rain, fog, smoke, dust and visual noise can influence retroreflectivity.

• The reflective intentsity of retro-reflective tape can also be diminished in extreme weather conditions.
• Fog, mist, smoke and dust can scatter the light from headlights, the wearer must be aware that detection distance will be severely reduced.
• Visual noise (contrast variations in the visual field) decreases the contrast of the reflective material with the background and affects the visibility in low-light conditions.  

V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Industrial Wash Reflective Fabric/Tape exceeds the retro-reflective performance requirements in rainfall conditions as defined in EN ISO 20471 and ANSI/ISEA 107.

Initial brightness levels return as the material dries.

Maintenance Misuse

No harsh mechanical treatment, e.g. abrasion with wire brushes or sand paper.

No uniform coating or spraying of oils, protective waxes, inks or paint.

No application of products such as leather spray or shoe shine.   

Product Storage

Store in a cool, dry area and use within 1 year of receipt.

Rolls should be stored in their original cartons, whilst partially used rolls should be returned to their carton or suspended horizontally from the core via a rod or pipe.

Cut sheets should be stored flat.