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Flame resistant fibres and fabricsPublished by: Textiles Intelligence Published: Feb. 1, 2004 - 28 Pages Table of ContentsSummary Introduction Flammability of fibres and fabrics Factors affecting the flammability of apparel Fabric construction Surface texture Garment design Presence of contaminants Flame resistance Measurement of flame resistance Flame retardants Flammability standards and regulations Test methods for flame resistant apparel Applications of flame resistant fabrics in performance apparel Industrial workwear Firefighters' apparel Professional racing apparel Key producers of flame resistant fibres and fabrics and their products DuPont: Nomex Kermel: Kermel Westex: Indura Kaneka Corporation: Protex Basofil Fibers: Basofil Celanese: PBI Gun-ei Chemical Industry: Kynol Montefibre: Fidion FR Rhodia: Proban Outlook List of tables Table 1: Flammability of natural and man-made fibres Table 2: Limiting oxygen index (LOI) of natural and man-made fibres Table 3: USA: Flammable Fabrics Act: classes of fabric flammability Table 4: EU standards for flame protective clothing Table 5: Nomex: applications and level of protection Table 6: Physical properties of Kermel fibre Table 7: Kermel: fabric and apparel range, 2003 Table 8: Physical properties of Protex Table 9: Properties of Protex blend fabrics Table 10: Properties of Basofil Table 11: Properties of Kynol fibres Table 12: Physical properties of Fidion FR AbstractFlame resistant fibres and fabrics are used in the manufacture of industrial workwear, firefighters’ apparel and professional motor racing apparel to protect the wearer against fires, electrical arcs and molten metal splashes.The introduction of tough legislation regarding the provision of flame resistant apparel, and the growing use of such apparel, has contributed to a drop in the number of fire-related injuries and fatalities in recent decades. Fire departments which issue high-tech turnout gear to their employees have seen a decline in the number of burn injuries. In some cases the decline has been dramatic. Similarly, the number of fatalities in professional motor racing has fallen sharply since the 1960s when it became compulsory for drivers to wear flame resistant garments. Stricter regulations regarding fire safety and changes in market requirements have spurred the development of new fibres, treatments and fabrics. These new products have joined established names such as DuPont’s Nomex; Indura, made by Westex; Kermel; and Proban, which is produced by Rhodia. In fire resistance applications, asbestos fibre and glass fibre have been replaced by high-tech protective fabrics which are comfortable and which fulfill stringent performance criteria. Multi-functional fabrics have become increasingly available. These combine flame resistance with other protective characteristics such as chemical resistance, anti-static properties and high visibility. New generations of flame retardant treated (FRT) cotton offer improved durability, low shrinkage, better colourfastness and easy care characteristics. Such materials have stimulated overall demand in the market. They have also paved the way to new application areas
for FRT cotton such as underwear, T-shirts and sweatshirts.
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