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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DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS”
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DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS”
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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DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS”
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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DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS”
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.
DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS”
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DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS”
CLASSIFICATION OF FR FABRICS
FR by chemical treatment
FR by Flame resistant fibres
FR by heat resistant fibres
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DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS”
CLASSIFICATION OF FR FABRICS
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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DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS”
CLASSIFICATION OF FR FABRICS
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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DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS”
CLASSIFICATION OF FR FABRICS
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
CURRENT TRENDS OF THE FRF
The Relevance
FR fabric precisely specific to application or risk
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CURRENT TRENDS OF THE FRF
CURRENT TRENDS OF THE FRF
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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CURRENT TRENDS OF THE FRF
CURRENT TRENDS OF THE FRF
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