Tyvek is a synthetic material made of high-density polyethylene fibers; the name is a registered trademark of the DuPont Company. The material is very strong; it is nearly impossible for the average person to tear but can be easily cut with scissors or any other sharp object. Tyvek will allow only water vapor to pass through and therefore lends itself to a variety of applications: medical packaging, envelopes, car covers, air and water intrusion barriers (housewrap) under house siding, labels, wristbands, and graphics.

Tyvek has been used by the United States Postal Service for some of its Priority Mail and Express Mail packages and for banknotes in some countries. Many lightweight backpackers are now using homemade Tyvek groundcloths, finding that they are lighter, cheaper, and pack smaller than the traditional blue plastic tarps.

Tyvek coveralls are one-piece jumpsuits made of Tyvek, usually white in color. They are often worn by mechanics over their clothes to avoid contact with oil and fuel. They can also be worn for painting to protect skin and clothes from splattered paint, for installation of fiberglass insulation, by workers in laboratories and clean rooms, and any other use where a disposable, one-time use coverall is needed. Tyvek coveralls are also used for some light hazardous materials applications but do not provide the level of protection of a full hazmat suit. Tychem is a brand of Tyvek rated for a higher level of protection. DuPont makes Tyvek clothing in different styles from lab coats and aprons to complete head-to-toe coveralls with hoods and booties.

Tyvek superficially resembles paper; for example, it can be written and printed on. However, Tyvek envelopes may not be recycled as used paper. Instead, DuPont runs a recycling program in the United States.

Tyvek is manufactured at the Spruance plant in Richmond, Virginia and Luxembourg.

External links

• Formal information about Tyvek as paper
• What is Tyvek
• Dupont home page
• FAQ of Tyvek
• Authorized Dupont Tyvek Supplier

DuPont | Polyolefins | Plastics | Paper | Brand name materials

Tyvek