Tyvek

Tyvek is a brand of synthetic flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers. The name Tyvek is a registered trademark of the American multinational chemical company DuPont, which discovered and commercialized Tyvek in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Tyvek's properties—such as being difficult to tear but easily cut, and waterproof against liquids while allowing water vapor to penetrate—have led to it being used in a variety of applications. Tyvek is often used as housewrap, a synthetic material used to protect buildings during construction, or as personal protective equipment (PPE).[1]

History

Tyvek is a nonwoven product consisting of spun bond olefin fiber. It was first discovered in 1955 by a researcher for the DuPont textile company working in an experimental lab, who noticed a type of white fluff coming out of a pipe.[2] That fluff was a form of polyethylene, which DuPont requested a patent for within a year of the discovery.

Uses

Construction/engineering

Large sheets of Tyvek are frequently used as housewrap to provide an air barrier between the outer cladding of a structure and the frame, insulation, etc., allowing water vapor to pass but restricting air infiltration.[13]
During the latter years of the Space Shuttle program Tyvek was used to cover and protect the Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster ports from water and debris while the shuttle stack was exposed on the launchpad.[14] The Tyvek covers were dislodged shortly after ignition and before the shuttle cleared the tower, posing no strike risk as the shuttle was travelling below 100 mph.[15]
Tom Sachs used Tyvek for the outer shell of the spacesuits used in his Space Program series of artworks.[16]

Shipping

Tyvek is used by the United States Postal Service for some of its Priority Mail and Express Mail envelopes.[17]
FedEx also uses it for some of its document envelopes.

Government use

New Zealand used Tyvek for its driver's licences from 1986 to 1999.[18]

Banknotes

Costa Rica (solely their 20 colones bank note, Z series),[19] the Isle of Man,[20] and Haiti[21] have made banknotes from Tyvek. These banknotes are no longer in circulation and have become collector's items.

Fashion/personal use

Race bibs, or race numbers are often produced on Tyvek paper, so they are less likely to rip during competition.[22]
Tyvek is often used in garment and other textile labeling due to high durability and washability.
Tyvek wristbands are used at music festivals, conventions, and like events where age-restricted admission and/or security are concerns,[23][24] as well more generally at as hospitals, resorts, nightclubs, schools, and reunions.
In 2011, fashion retailer and manufacturer American Apparel included white Tyvek shorts as part of its range.[25]

Medical

Tyvek is extensively used for laboratory and medical packaging as the material withstands conditions such as gamma irradiation or ethylene oxide gas which are used to sterilize equipment and surgical devices.[33][34]
NSW Police, Australia uses Tyvek overalls to preserve the integrity of forensic evidence at a crime scene, while also protecting "the wearer from the risk of exposure to biological substances, dirt and liquid splashes."[35]

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Tyvek coveralls are one-piece garments used for personal protective equipment. They are usually white, commonly worn by mechanics, oil industry workers, painters, insulation installers, and laboratory and cleanroom workers where disposable, one-time use coverall is needed. They are also used for some light HAZMAT applications, such as asbestos and radiation work, but do not provide the protection of a full hazmat suit. Tychem is a sub-brand of Tyvek rated for a higher level of liquid protection, especially from chemicals. DuPont makes Tyvek clothing in different styles from laboratory coats and aprons to complete head-to-toe coveralls with hoods and booties. The latter was notably used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as emergency limited CBRN gear during the Fukushima nuclear incident.[36]
Tyvek coveralls, coats or bodysuits are often used during pandemics, for example in the 2013–2016 Western African Ebola virus epidemic, and in the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect health care workers from infection.[37][38]

type	Flashspun nonwoven HDPE fiber
currentowner	DuPont
origin	United States
introduced	April 1967
related	YUPO synthetic paper
markets	Construction, Packaging and labeling
tagline	What do you need to protect?
website	dupont.com/Tyvek

History

21st century

Scientific characteristics and properties

Adhesion and bonding

Recycling

Properties of Tyvek