TRILAMINATE

 

TRILAMINATE DRYSUIT edited by Fabrizio Pirrello

The term trilaminate refers to a multilayer material composed of three layers of different materials bonded together. Trilaminate is classified based on its weight, defined in grams/meter².

Inside the three-material sandwich is a layer of butyl rubber or polyurethane that makes the fabric waterproof. The inside is made of highly slippery nylon (for easy donning) and a very tightly woven fabric with an antibacterial treatment. The outside is laminated with fabrics that can be nylon, Cordura, polyester, or Kevlar because it needs to be more resistant to cuts and abrasions. Depending on the combination, we will have trilaminate fabrics that are more suitable than others for sports or professional use, and different weights of trilaminate.
This sandwich offers the suit an exceptional fit, making the drysuit feel very soft to the touch, without sacrificing strength and abrasion resistance.
When making a wetsuit, the areas most subject to wear are usually reinforced with applications of NYLON or CORDURA or KEVLAR, depending on the model.
The trilaminate is a material with excellent resistance to exposure to both atmospheric and chemical agents over time, so much so that it can also be used for wetsuits for military underwater and amphibious use. Resistance to chemical agents should not be confused with ease of decontamination, as they are different things. The decontamination capacity of trilaminate drysuits is poor because the external weave tends to allow contaminants to nest.
The trilaminate is relatively simple to work with as it can be cut and assembled with a technique very similar to that normally used in the manufacturing of clothing for the industrial sector.
The very delicate part is always in the sealing of the joints.
The trilaminate is preferred for drysuits that need to be lightweight, flexible, quick-drying, and field-repairable.