Flame Retardant Fabrics: Recent Trends and Developments

DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS” CURRENT TRENDS IN FR FABRICS EXAMPLES. . technical textiles

CLASSIFICATION OF FR FIBERS 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. technical textiles

CLASSIFICATION OF FR FIBERS DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS” CLASSIFICATION OF FR FIBERS 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 ...). technical textiles

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. technical textiles

CLASSIFICATION OF FR FABRICS DEFINITION OF “FLAME RETARDANTS FABRICS” CLASSIFICATION OF FR FABRICS FR by chemical treatment FR by Flame resistant fibres FR by heat resistant fibres technical textiles

CLASSIFICATION OF FR FABRICS 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. technical textiles

CLASSIFICATION OF FR FABRICS 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, ... technical textiles

CLASSIFICATION OF FR FABRICS 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). technical textiles

CURRENT TRENDS OF THE FRF The Relevance FR fabric precisely specific to application or risk technical textiles

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.. technical textiles

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) technical textiles

Flame Retardant Fabric: MARLAN EXAMPLE Flame Retardant Fabric: MARLAN The Relevance: Specific for the the Aluminium foundries 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) technical textiles

MARLAN (specific for Molten Metal Splashes) 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 technical textiles

MARLAN (specific for Molten Metal Splashes) EXAMPLE : FLAME RESISTANT FABRIC : MARLAN MARLAN (specific for Molten Metal Splashes) Aluminium Field Test : comparison Marlan with Vinex (Used in the past) and with and with Cotton FR - technical textiles

Flame Retardant Fabrics: Recent Trends and Development 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! technical textiles

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