Ansell has discontinued the previous style numbers in its AlphaTec® Breathable Red and Blue protective-clothing lines and introduced a new group of replacement styles. Customers who have purchased the older 66-6xx garments should use the replacement chart below to identify the current jacket, coat, bib overall, hood, or coverall. Each replacement style number links directly to its corresponding product page on MDSAssociates.com.

The change involves more than part numbers. The earlier styles carried NFPA 1992 certification, while the new replacement styles do not. This distinction is important for safety managers, purchasing departments, distributors, and end users who must confirm that protective clothing meets the requirements of a specific hazard assessment or workplace program.

Important safety notice: The previous styles carried NFPA 1992 certification. The replacement styles do not, following a PFAS-related material reformulation and penetration-test results involving three chemicals.

Why Did Ansell Change the Garment Material?

Ansell updated the material used in AlphaTec® Breathable garments to eliminate PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The reformulation supports evolving environmental and regulatory objectives, but testing of the new material produced an unexpected chemical-penetration performance issue. The replacement material did not pass the required testing for three chemicals:

• Sulfuric acid - 93% concentration
• Nitrobenzene
• Dimethylformamide (DMF)

Because of those test results, the new garments do not carry NFPA 1992 certification. This does not automatically mean that the replacement garments provide no chemical protection. It means the revised material does not satisfy all of the performance criteria required for that certification. Users must review the current technical data and compare it with the chemicals, concentrations, exposure conditions, and certification requirements present in their own operations.

AlphaTec® Replacement Style Guide

Use this table to cross-reference each discontinued style with the current Ansell replacement. Select any linked replacement number to review the item on MDSAssociates.com.

Garment	Previous Style (NFPA 1992)	New Replacement Style (Shop at MDS)
Breathable Red Jacket	66-660	66-640 - View Product
Breathable Red Coat	66-663	66-641 - View Product
Breathable Red Bib Overall	66-662	66-642 - View Product
Breathable Red Detachable  Hood	66-664	66-644 - View Product
Breathable Red Coverall	66-667	66-647 - View Product
Breathable Blue FR Jacket	66-670	66-650 - View Product
Breathable Blue FR Coat	66-671	66-651 - View Product
Breathable Blue FR Bib Overall	66-672	66-652 - View Product
Breathable Blue FR Detachable Hood	66-674	66-654 - View Product
Breathable Blue FR Coverall	66-677	66-657 - View Product

What the Replacement Table Means for Buyers

The “previous style” column identifies the discontinued garment that may appear in older purchase histories, specifications, contracts, bid documents, or internal PPE lists. The linked “new replacement style” column identifies the current item. A replacement style should not be treated as technically identical to its predecessor simply because it has the same garment type and general design. Review the new product page and current manufacturer documentation before updating specifications or approving the garment for use.

Do the New Garments Still Provide Chemical Protection?

Yes, for many chemicals and splash applications. The reformulated AlphaTec® Breathable material continues to provide chemical-splash protection and penetration performance against numerous substances. Ansell’s documentation includes penetration data covering more than 70 chemicals. However, broad chemical resistance is not the same as holding a particular NFPA certification.

Selection must be based on the actual chemical and its concentration, the expected type and duration of exposure, garment configuration, temperature, mechanical hazards, and any certification required by the employer or authority having jurisdiction. Particular caution is necessary when 93% sulfuric acid, nitrobenzene, or DMF may be present.

What About the Blue FR Series?

The Blue AlphaTec® Breathable FR garments continue to provide flame-resistant protection and maintain NFPA 2112 certification. NFPA 2112 and NFPA 1992 address different hazards and performance requirements, so one certification should never be used as a substitute for the other.

The new Blue FR styles continue to meet the flame-resistant requirements associated with NFPA 2112, but they do not carry NFPA 1992 certification because of the chemical-penetration issue described above. Facilities using the Blue series for combined flash-fire and chemical-splash hazards should confirm that the revised certification profile still satisfies their hazard assessment.

What Should Current Users Do?

Organizations that currently specify or purchase the older AlphaTec® styles should take the following steps before placing the next order:

• Use the replacement table to identify the current style number for the required garment type.
• Update purchasing records, approved-product lists, contracts, and internal PPE specifications with the new style number.
• Confirm whether NFPA 1992 certification is mandatory for the job, customer, contract, or safety program.
• Review the latest Ansell chemical-resistance data for every chemical and concentration involved in the application.

What Alternatives Are Available?

At this time, there is no direct reusable, breathable replacement offering the same combination of features with certified protection against 93% sulfuric acid. For applications involving concentrated sulfuric acid or the other affected chemicals, Ansell offers disposable chemical-protective garments that may be considered as part of a proper selection process, including:

• AlphaTec® 2300 Standard Bound - Model 111
• AlphaTec® 3000 Ultrasonically Welded & Taped - Model 111
• AlphaTec® 4000 Ultrasonically Welded & Taped - Model 111

These products are not interchangeable. The correct option depends on the chemical, concentration, exposure type, duration, temperature, seam construction, and other conditions of use. Consult current manufacturer documentation and a qualified safety professional when selecting garments for hazardous chemical exposure.

MDS Associates Can Help

MDS Associates can help customers cross-reference an older AlphaTec® style, locate the correct current product, and review alternative chemical-protective clothing when the new replacement does not meet the application’s certification or chemical-resistance requirements. Providing the chemical name, concentration, exposure conditions, required garment type, and applicable standards will help our team identify appropriate options more efficiently.

Contact MDS Associates for product-selection assistance

Important: Always verify current certifications, chemical-resistance data, permeation or penetration results, and intended use before selecting protective clothing for hazardous chemical exposure.