Flame Retardant Fabrics: Recent Trends and Developments

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DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS”

CURRENT TRENDS IN FR FABRICS

EXAMPLES.

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CLASSIFICATION OF FR FIBERS LOI: Limit Oxygen Index:The limit oxygen index (LOI) is the minimum concentration of oxygen,

expressed as a percentage, that will support combustion of a polymer.

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

38

Modac

rylic

MA 5

0%/C

otton 5

0%

Wool Z

irpro

Polyes

ter F

R

Aram

ides

Cotton F

rwool

Cotton

Polyes

ter

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The trend is that there are other relevant physical or physico-chemical features, especially

performance to the propagation of heat (radiant heat, convective heat, contact heat,etc. ..) and

the ability of the FR fabric to provide other qualities (comfort, strength, easy care, reasonable cost, compatible with the

environment, smokes, aesthetics, durability ...).

CLASSIFICATION OF FR FIBERS

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CONCEPTS

The standards and tests that qualify the FR property in a

fabric are variable and change according to sector of application and are also country specific.

The flammability is not the only characteristic that should be considered to evaluate the

performance of the fabrics to heat and flames.


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CLASSIFICATION OF FR FABRICS

FR by chemical treatment

FR by Flame resistant fibres

FR by heat resistant fibres

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FR by finish (chemical treatment): Achieved by chemical treatment, after spinning or Weaving, usually in natural fibres, with LOI less than 28. (cotton, wool,..). This additive can give the fabric a FR character enough and stable, although dependent on usage conditions and maintenance.

Common Type: cotton, wool, viscose and polyester.

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FR by Flame Resistant fibres: Fabrics in which all or part of its composition is fibres made from polymers that are not necessarily thermally stable, but its decomposition products (monomers) are not combustible or fibres that have undergone changes in its synthesis by the incorporation of flame resistant copolymers which make intrinsically resistant to flame

Common Type: Clorofibres, Modacrilycs, Viscose FR,

FR Polyester, ...

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FR by Heat Resistant Fibres : Can be from inorganic fibres or from specially synthesized organic polymers. Besides being intrinsically FR, they also keep all or most of the fabric properties even while working in temperatures exceeding 240 º C continuously.

Common Type: Inorganics: Glass textiles, silex, ceramics, coal, metalics,

..)Organics: Aramides, Flurocarbonats, polibenzimidazol

(PBI), Phenolics, Poliacrilonitril ox. (PANO).

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CURRENT TRENDS OF THE FRF


The Relevance

FR fabric precisely specific to application or risk

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Main applications of the FRF

- FR fabrics for the protection the people, things and the environment: Fabrics for interior decoration used in public places (cinemas, bars, nightclubs, theaters, hospitals, schools, hotels, etc.). or in public transportation by air, land or sea, in form of carpets, rugs, curtains, upholstery, wall coverings, etc..

- FR fabrics for Flame and Heat protection: Not

only for Fire Fighters, but for the workers in metallurgy, ceramics, glass, aluminum, etc.., Army and para-military fields, refinery workers, utilities, gas, racers etc..

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Requirements

- Fire and heat protection.(Also, if necessary, other Protection properties: High visibility, antacids, antistatic...)

- Comfort, aesthetics, durability. (Breathability, strength, abrasion, stable colour

fastness, easy care, weather resistance ...)

- Price.

(The cost must be reasonable and according to the different

risk situations. The best solutions at the best price)

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EXAMPLE

Flame Retardant Fabric: MARLAN

• Permanent non flammable fabric• The fabrics’ properties are kept permanent, life long• Protection factor will not be reduced after washing• Excellent heat isolation. • Provides repellence of molten metal even in very

dangerous areas. ( Aluminium , Cryolite, etc)- following the standards -EN ISO 9185 D3-E3

• Suitable for protection against any kind of heat risk in foundries.

• Very Comfortable Fabric , because its composition ( WOOL – VISCOSE FR)

The Relevance: Specific for the the Aluminium foundries

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EXAMPLE : FLAME RESISTANT FABRIC : MARLAN

MARLAN (specific for Molten Metal Splashes) Aluminium Field Test : Comparison of Marlan with Modacrylic/Cotton

(Good for Electric Arc) with Aramides ( good for fire brigades) and with Cotton FR

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MARLAN (specific for Molten Metal Splashes)

EXAMPLE : FLAME RESISTANT FABRIC : MARLAN

Aluminium Field Test : comparison Marlan with Vinex (Used in the past) and with and with Cotton FR -

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CONCLUSION

Flame Retardant Fabrics: Recent Trends and Development

Conclusion

A cocktail of FR fibre selection, the blends, composition of fabrics keeping in mind the

‘relevance’ of application will bring out the right choice of FRF…. And the journey will continue in

this direction!

Thank you

Flame Retardant Fabrics: Recent Trends and Developments

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