Lab jackets are ubiquitous in universities, hospitals, and government and private labs. In some circumstances, lab jackets are worn for ceremonial purposes (e.g., doctors), but they are also often worn as safety and hygiene purposes.
Laboratory jackets are made of a variety of materials: cotton, paper, Tyvek, polyester, nomex. Polyester/cotton is the most common composition for lab jackets available from scientific suppliers.
Tyvek/TyChem Lab Jackets:
Tyvek is a waterproof, breathable, abrasion resistant fabric. The material is used for a variety of purpose, including house weatherproofing. Disposable lab jackets and coveralls are often made of Tyvek, which makes them quite accessible for single use and disposal when surface contamination is a concern. Tyvek provides limited chemical resistance, and Dupont lists Tyvek as being unsuitable for laboratory activities involving flames. The particulate resistance of Tyvek safety equipment is emphasized, meaning that it is useful for hazardous materials that are not a reaction concern.
DuPont also produces TyChem protective equipment, which is regularly mixed up with Tyvek safety equipment because they look similar and have similar names. TyChem equipment is leading edge chemical safety equipment, and there are several versions of TyChem material. Tychem products provide some of the highest levels of protection against chemical permeation that are available to civilians.
Disposable Tyvek Lab jacket
Polyester/Cotton Blend Lab Jackets:
Polyester/cotton lab jackets are extremely common, and it is likely that your lab jacket is polyester/cotton unless you specifically sought out a different type. Polyester provides wear strength, meaning that polyester/cotton blends last a long time with regular washing and use. Polyester also reduces the tendency for the fabric to absorb liquids. The downside of polyester is that it both melts and readily burns, meaning that it can cause injury through two routes.
Polyester/Cotton Blend Lab Jacket
Cotton:
Cotton is a natural fabric that is more flame resistant than polyester/cotton blends. Fire resistance of cotton is variable by fabric type and weight, and individual protective products are certified (NFPA 2112) through empiric testing. Cotton is more absorbent than polyester/cotton blends, meaning that liquids will penetrate more rapidly and possibly wick over a larger area.
Flame resistant cotton lab jacket
Nomex:
Nomex is a fire resistant fabric that is famous because it is used to make turnout/bunker gear for firefighters and flame resistant coveralls for industrial work. Aramid fibres (aromatic polyamides) are strong fibres with excellent physical and heat resistance properties, and the heat resistance of Nomex has saved lives. Nomex does have limits for use, in particular Nomex will burn under specific conditions (e.g., in excess of 31% oxygen). Nomex fibers are relatively chemical resistant, which does not necessarily translate into wearer chemical protection (fabric permeation versus fibre resistance).
Nomex lab jacket
Lab Jacket Design:
The design (closures, length, fit, cuff type) of the lab jacket is also relevant. Jackets use either buttons of snaps for closures. Generally jackets use 4-5 buttons or 6 snaps, meaning that snaps provide a better closure. Snaps closures are also easier to open, allowing for the jacket to be shed more rapidly in an emergency. Knit cuffs create a better seal around the wrist, preventing materials from entering the arm of the lab jacket and making donning gauntlet style gloves easier. The downside of the knit cuff is that it does not come off as easily for rapid emergency removal and is often only available on polyester/cotton jackets.
Lab jackets are minimal protective equipment, intended to prevent dermal contact from splashes or heat damage from flames/arcs. Of the materials described, only TyChem is intended for full contact protection. There is no superior lab jacket material–the material should be selected to match the task and environment. Potential for fire, corrosion, dermal toxicity, task-related abrasion etc. should be reviewed to select the appropriate lab jacket. For example, a Nomex or fire resistant cotton jacket should be worn when handling pyrophorics, and a polyester/cotton jacket would be superior for handling non-flammable infectious agents or mutagens.
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Six snaps and knit cuffs
HAZREZ: Hazardous Materials Resources 