Victaulic receives International Business Award for foundry protective apparel

Easton, Pa.-based Victaulic, a provider of mechanical pipe joining technology, has been recognized by the International Business Awards with an International Silver Stevie® award for Best New Product of the Year – Industrial Products for its foundry worker safety coat.

After years of material tests at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the company developed both a woven and nonwoven polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fabric that withstands the impact of a 2,800-degrees-F molten iron splash. Made of this fabric, the Bogu coat—named after the Japanese word for armor—is engineered to be 30 percent lighter than the industry-standard aluminized Kevlar® jackets, says the company.

Breathable vents in the garment help improve wearer comfort. The coat is machine washable without degradation of its fire-retardant properties.