Terminology Guide

Overview of Materials and Standards Used in Our Workwear and Safety Products

At Twin Rivers Workwear & Uniforms, we are committed to providing durable, high-quality products that meet Australian safety standards. Below is detailed information about the materials, design features, and terminology related to the products you will find on our website.

Cordura® Fabric – Durable & Abrasion-Resistant Workwear Material

Cordura® is a lightweight, high-performance fabric known for its exceptional tear and abrasion resistance. Made from resilient nylon yarns, Cordura® offers more than three times the durability of standard workwear fabrics, providing long-lasting protection and value for heavy-duty workwear.

Denier (D) – Understanding Fabric Strength & Thickness

Denier measures the linear mass density of fibers, indicating material strength and durability. It is expressed as the mass in grams of a 9,000-meter strand of fiber. Higher denier values generally indicate stronger and more durable fabrics. For example:

  • A 600D nylon fabric is stronger than a 400D nylon fabric.

  • 420D nylon is stronger than 600D polyester due to the inherent strength of nylon.

Denier is commonly used to describe materials for bags, jackets, and workwear fabrics.

High Visibility (Hi-Vis) Clothing Standards

Our Hi-Vis clothing complies with Australian Standards to ensure worker safety in various environments:

  • AS/NZS 4602.1:2011 – Defines three classes of high-visibility garments:

    • Class D (Day use only)

    • Class N (Night use only)

    • Class D/N (Day and Night use)

  • AS/NZS 1906.4:2010 – Specifies retroreflective materials for traffic control and safety garments.

Hi-Vis Material Types:

  • Fluorescent Materials: Reflect visible light by converting UV light, ideal for daylight visibility.

  • Non-Fluorescent Materials: Used where natural fibers are required, meeting safety visibility criteria without fluorescence.

Retroreflective Tape:

  • Reflects light directly back to the source (e.g., vehicle headlights).

  • Must be a minimum of 50mm wide and comply with durability standards, including wash cycle performance.

UPF Rating – Sun Protective Clothing

Our sun-protective fabrics are rated according to AS/NZS 4399:1996, which classifies fabrics based on their Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). The UPF rating measures how well a fabric blocks UV radiation:

UPF Rating Protection Level % UV Radiation Blocked
15 – 24 Good 93.3% – 95.9%
25 – 39 Very Good 96.0% – 97.4%
40 – 50+ Excellent 97.5% – 99%+

Fabrics rated UPF 50+ provide excellent protection against harmful UV rays.

Waterproof & Water-Resistant Products

Types of Waterproof Fabrics:

  • Non-Breathable: PVC-coated fabrics providing high protection but trapping moisture inside (e.g., heavy-duty rain suits).

  • Breathable: Fabrics with waterproof membranes allowing sweat vapor to escape, ideal for active use.

Water Resistance Ratings (Static-Column Test):

Rating (mm) Resistance Level Suitable For
0 – 1,500 Minimal to some moisture resistance Light rain, dry snow
1,500 – 5,000 Light to average rain or snowfall Daily wet weather
5,000 – 10,000 Rainproof, light pressure waterproof Moderate rain and snow
11,000 – 15,000 Waterproof except under high pressure Heavy rain and average snow
16,000 – 20,000 Waterproof under high pressure Heavy rain and wet snow
20,000+ Waterproof under very high pressure Extreme weather conditions

Breathability:

Measured by Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) in grams per square meter per day (g/m²/day). Higher MVTR values mean more breathability.

Construction of Waterproof Fabrics

Typical waterproof garments consist of multiple layers:

  • Outer face fabric: Nylon or polyester providing durability and style.

  • Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating: Encourages water to bead off the fabric surface.

  • Laminated membrane: Microscopic pores block water droplets but allow vapor to escape.

  • Inner lining: Fine mesh for comfort and moisture management.

Safety Boots – Height and Toe Cap Materials

Boot Height:

  • 5-inch boots provide ankle flexibility.

  • 6-inch boots offer moderate ankle support.

  • 8-inch (Hi-Cut) boots provide maximum ankle protection.

Toe Caps:

  • Steel: Durable and highly protective, detectable by metal detectors.

  • Alloy: Lightweight with strong protection, metal detectable.

  • Composite: Non-metallic, lightweight, and suitable for metal detector-free zones.

All meet required impact resistance safety standards.