Do nomex suits expire?
 

This should be an easy question for you guys, though I searched and couldn't find the answer.

Right now I'm just doing autocross, but next season my team will be competing in our first 24 Hours of LeMons. For that I'll need a suit that is SFI 3.2/A1, /A2, /A3, /A4, or /A5 approved. After this (once my S is a little closer to paid off) I'm planning to start doing HPDE, so I'm expecting on getting plenty of use out of the suit.

My question is, do these suits expire or become invalid after x many years like helmets? I'd like to get good quality gear, but only if its going to last me a while.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Yes, nomex suits do need to be replaced from time to time due to wear. They typically do not expire per a specific date or time period like seats and helmets. For 24 Hours of Lemons I believe any SFI 3.2/A5 suit will do.

See here for more specific info: http://www.sfifoundation.com/

I know most fire retardant clothing has a maximum number of washes before it loses its fire protection also.

Say what?

Nomex will not burn. This is not due to some coating that could wear off. It is a property of the fiber itself. Please provide some evidence for this supposed "maximum number of washes".

nomax itself IIRC is fire retardant...

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/nomex.html

there is some information for ya ;)

Yeah, I've worn the same nomex outfit 5 days a week for the last 7+ years and I've never caught on fire because of over washing.

So for you experienced track racers, how long do you usually get out of a suit before it needs replaced?

Nomex welding clothing and also the fire retardant protection that you wear in refineries has a maximum number of washes before the clothing needs to be replaced.

Usually Nomex fire retardancy is related to a specification. The specification for FRP used in refineries has a maximum number of washes. I assumed that Nomex suits used in racing would have to meet the same NFPA specification.