TBA Protective Technologies Ltd
About us
TBA Protective Technologies has developed finishes which significantly improve the performance of the textile substrate and their suitability for specific applications. We’re proud of our British heritage and to this day, we remain one of the few textile companies still manufacturing in the UK.
Products & services
Bespoke fabrics
We are able to utilise our expertise to create custom tailored fabrics that meet our customers specific requirements. Some fabrics have passed through as many as 15 different processes across the group to create the desired product. Additionally we have the capability to compound rubber in-house providing customers further customisation and quality control. Processes frequently incorporated from across the wider group include: • Silicone coating • Rubber coating • PU coating • Neoprene coating • PTFE coating • Ballistic fabrics
Transport seating
TBA have been manufacturing fabrics for public transport worldwide for decades! Our fabrics are specially designed and engineered for both high temperature resistance and some even have anti-vandal, triple-layered properties. All made to exceed the BS EN standards right here, in Great Britain and across Europe. They are non-combustible and produce low amounts of smoke and toxic fumes. Providing a barrier between the outer dress fabric and the foam, they prevent flame reaching the foam in the event of a fire, providing passengers time to escape the vehicle, or other enclosed area, before the build up of toxic smoke. Wire is used as an anti-vandal, slash resistant layer to protect the foam being exposed. Our barriers are tested in manufacturer’s seats to the strictest international standards (EN45545-2) to ensure that the combination of the seat design, the choice of foam, barrier and outer dress fabric perform as required for the application. Our UK facility offers a cut press service with press cutting equipment onsite allowing TBA to offer these barriers, cut to the desired shape and size for the particular seat in question, providing our customers with a time-saving economical solution.
Protective clothing
TBA manufactures a wide range of organic materials in woven and nonwoven forms for manufacturers in the protective clothing industry. The fabrics are designed to protect users from radiant heat, molten metal splash and mechanical risks. Product lines include aluminised fabrics for gloves, mitts, jackets, aprons and trousers, amongst others. These fabrics are essential for providing protective solutions in challenging environments worldwide. Despite the challenges of providing lightweight, flexible and comfortable protection from heat, flame and sparks, TBA has a proven track record of meeting these requirements. Some of the key sectors in which our high performance textiles can be found include: Foundries Undoubtedly one of the most extreme environments to work in, our fabrics perform at up to 1,000ºC whilst also delivering protection from flash and spillage risks. Firefighting Heat and flame protection are common characteristics to a wide range of TBA technical textiles, with materials used extensively in firefighting jackets, clothing and kit. Welding The fabrics are designed to protect users from radiant heat, molten metal splash and splatter and mechanical risks. Police & Armed Forces From a helmet chin strap to high visibility stab jackets, we have supplied materials that are used by these forces to help maintain their safety in the most extreme circumstances. Whether using proprietary products such as Kevlar® or textiles developed within TBA to meet specific performance requirements, comfort, durability and safety for long term prolonged use remains critical.
Woven fabrics
TBA produces a range of woven fabrics from ring spun, friction spun (DREF) and continuous filament yarns for a variety of high temperature and mechanical risk applications. PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES Heat & flame resistance Abrasion resistance Cut resistance Chemical resistance Tensile strength USED IN: Industrial sealing Thermal insulation Protective clothing Electrolytic diaphragms FABRIC PROPERTIES Our KC range of fabrics uses a glass core yarn with an aramid sheath for temperatures up to 450°C. OKC fabrics use a blend of high-performance fibres to produce a fabric with excellent resistance to heat and molten metal shedding. Aramid webbing , KCW, provides high tensile strength, as well as thermal, cut, and abrasion resistance.
Textiles for industrial applications
As the original manufacturer and trademark owner of WELDSTOP® and WELDSTOP® PLUS, we set the standard in weld screen protection. Our patented range includes various treatments and finishes, providing exceptional heat protection customised to end user needs. With in-house production and a commitment to innovation, we deliver high quality, tailored products. Our expertise in material properties including temperature resistance, abrasion, tensile strength and chemical durability ensures optimal performance across diverse applications. Some of the key sectors in which our high performance textiles can be found include: AUTOMOTIVE We specialise in manufacturing customisable heat reflecting aluminised fabrics tailored for crafting automotive heat shields and protection for various automotive components. OIL & GAS TBA provides a comprehensive range of heat resistant textiles tailored for the oil and petrochemical industry, hot work fabrics are utilised to protect against sparks, molten metal and potential combustible gases. MINING Our textiles for the mining industry include high temperature gasketing, insulating mattresses and a large range of hot work fabric. TBA fabrics are indispensable for fire protection, serving as heat barriers in underground operations, in exhaust systems and battery stations. Our coated fabrics are adept at withstanding the rigors of insulation covers in the demanding ore refining processes. DOMESTIC APPLIANCES TBA fabrics are used in oven door gaskets, electric and gas ranges, oven thermal seals, dryer door seals, refrigeration insulation.
Aluminised fabrics
TBA manufactures aluminised fabrics for protective clothing used in industries requiring heat and molten metal splash protection. PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES Heat & flame resistance Abrasion resistance Cut resistance Chemical resistance Tensile strength USED FOR Welding Foundries & steelworks Blast furnaces Glassworks
Weldstop®
TBA has developed patented finishes which significantly improve the performance of the textile substrate and its suitability for particular applications. Heat Resistance, Weldstop® withstands penetration from an oxygen enriched flame at temperatures in excess of 1500°C. Molten Metal Resistance Weldstop® large metal droplets of up to 70g in weight can be successfully contained and allowed to cool on the fabric surface without penetration. Abrasion Resistance, Weldstop® has as much as 10 times the abrasion resistance of silica cloth of similar weight and density and its effectiveness is not reduced by rough handling. Flexibility, Weldstop® has been treated to create a soft, flexible fabric that is easy to handle during use. Weldstop® Plus is a further improved version of Weldstop® offering increased flexibility and decreased fibre shed.
Graflex®
TBA has developed patented finishes which significantly improve the performance of the textile substrate and its suitability for particular applications. Flexibility, Graflex® the addition of graphite and silicone emulsion to standard textured Fortaglas products allow the constituent glass filaments to slide freely over one another, greatly improving flexibility at elevated temperatures. Wear Resistance, Graflex® improves scuff and abrasion resistance. Chemical Resistance, Graflex® resists most acids, alkalis, solvents and other corrosive liquids and gases. Heat Resistance, Graflex® will resist continuous temperatures of up to 600°C and short term surges of up to 1000°C. When flexibility is of secondary importance Graflex® is recommended without the addition of silicone emulsion to maximise temperature resistance.
Filament fortaglas
Filament Fortaglas fabrics provide a wide range of textiles when coupled with various types of coatings, treatments and laminations.
Textured Fortaglas
When customised with various coatings, treatments, and laminations, TBA’s lofted, textured Fortaglas fabrics enhance thermal protection and suit a variety of applications.
Webbing, yarn & rope
When customised with various coatings, treatments, and laminations, TBA’s lofted, textured Fortaglas fabrics enhance thermal protection and suit a variety of applications.
Nonwoven fabrics
TBA uses needle-punch technology to produce nonwovens from a wide variety of technical fibres. PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES Heat & flame resistance Abrasion resistance Cut resistance Chemical resistance Tensile strength TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Heat protective clothing Glove liners Molten metal splash protection Cut resistant clothing
Fortasil fabrics
Fortasil is a range of fabrics specifically developed to provide a drape able, flexible cloth with continuous high temperature protection and resistance to metal splash.
Coated fabrics
Coated products can be manufactured using any commercial available polymers, which may include any of the polymers listed below. These may be single or double sided variants and additionally may make use of one or more polymers in the same product, whilst it is usual to use continuous filament smooth glass fabrics as coating substrates, products can and have been developed using textured or silica bases.