Cotton that is immersion dyed with fluorescent color is not vibrant enough to qualify as ANSI hi visibility safety apparel. Hi vis cotton fails after wash and exposure testing because the fibers do not absorb an adequate amount of the fluorescent color that is required for the background material. Therefore hi vis cotton will not offer the level of protection ANSI and ISEA require. Garments that consist of fifty percent cotton and fifty percent polyester also fail to meet ANSI requirements for the fluorescent background material.
Polyester is a petroleum based fiber. Before the fibers are extruded they begin as small plastic chips that are then melted and extruded through a spinneret that creates the fibers. After this process the dye color is chemically added as the material is spun. The color is uniform throughout each fiber. Unlike cotton, polyester is not immersion dyed giving it the ability to maintain the hi vis color and brightness for the life of the garment.
When your safety is important, you want to be at your most visible.
For those of you seeking the desirable properties of cotton, feel and comfort…
Modern processes now allow for synthetic fibers to be woven in various textures to simulate the feel of other fabrics, such as cotton. We offer a Jersey knit fabric that has a cotton-like feel but is 100% polyester.
