Among all hazards related to fire, fabrics and clothing are the most prone to burning as they&#;re the first ones to catch fire. Due to this reason, most of the clothing and fabrics we purchase for furniture meet certain flame-resistant requirements. But for certain people that work in hazardous environments, especially those that work for utility services, flame-retardant clothing with high levels of flame-retardant capabilities is imperative.
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Xinxing FR.
FR clothing keeps them safe from fire, sparks, and other hazards that are part and parcel of their job. There are varying types of fire retardant fabrics such as Kevlar, indura, PBI, cotton, and other materials. These materials are designed to be resistant to fire damage and heat and prevent clothing from melting.
What Are Flame Retardant Fabrics?
A flame retardant fabric is a special kind of fabric that limits the spread of fire, reduces the damage from fire and heat, protects the wearer from fire exposure, and self-extinguishes when the person wearing it is at a safe distance from the heat source. The flame-resistant fabrics come from their special composition, which includes materials that are naturally resistant to flames.
6 Types Of Flame Retardant Fabrics
There are varying types of FR fabrics. Some offer great protection against fire and flames, while some offer less resistance. It&#;s always best to compare and choose the best quality flame retardant clothing for the utmost protection.
Following are some common types of flame retardant fabrics.
Nomex
This fire-resistant material is the oldest line of FR fabrics that&#;s been used since the s. DuPont, the American multinational chemical company, trademarked and developed this type of FR fabric for race car drivers because of the fiery crashes that often happen in races. Nomex is a fabric that is quite similar to nylon.
Nomex is a breathable, durable, and comfortable fabric to wear and has been effective at resisting fire damage for many years. Nomex is often used by firefighter hoods that are used to cover the head, neck, and face, which aren&#;t covered by the mask and the helmet. These hoods not only protect the firefighters from flames from fires but also from intense heat exposure.
Kevlar
Kevlar is among the most commonly used fire-resistant fabrics that are famous for its durability and protection. Kevlar is related to Nomex, and DuPont also developed it. It is thinner and lighter compared to most Nomex fabrics. This makes it a common and effective choice for protection against heat.
Kevlar is a popular and widely used fabric for making bulletproof vests, but it also has various other uses. Kevlar&#;s most useful quality is that it can retain its tensile strength in extreme heat and extreme cold.
This makes Kevlar an excellent fabric for people who are looking for flame-retardant garments that are comfortable enough for the person to move freely in without any extra padding and additional weight.
Indura
Indura cotton is considered the best-selling fabric for flame-retardant clothing. Indura is 100% cotton and provides durable flame-retardant clothing that also is washable.
Indura cotton is treated with fire retardant polymers which gives the garment efficient protection against heat and fire that many professionals working in utility jobs need.
PBI
PBI is an organic fiber that is very effective for fire resistance. It is a great choice for firefighters and professionals like utility workers who work around the fire and where electrical hazards are commonplace.
This fiber has a gold coloring that blends well with other fibers to create a premium fabric that is lightweight, durable, and efficient at resisting fire and intense heat. It is also slightly more expensive compared to other flame-retardant fabrics.
Cotton
Cotton is a commonly known material famous for its lightweight, cost-effective, and breathable fabric. The thicker the cotton, the more comfortable and high-quality the fabric. Cotton is known to provide better durability throughout its lifespan as a flame-retardant garment.
A garment made with flame-retardant cotton can give you good protection against heat as well as fire exposure. Another good thing is that cotton will be cheaper and will provide comfort as well when it comes to sparks and other hazards. Cotton, though effective and comfortable, still doesn&#;t provide enough protection for all welding options. Some jobs require more durable garments that are capable of handling intense heat, sparks, and spatter.
Levitex
LEVITEX Flame Retardant fabrics are used to make clothing that protects workers from serious injury when struck by arcs, flames, or molten metal. These self-extinguishing fabrics will not continue burning after the heat source has been removed and don&#;t melt even if exposed to high temperatures.
LEVITEX can combine different functions such as oil-resistant, water-repellency, acid and alkali-resistant, antistatic, moisture-wicking, water-pressure-resistant, anti-mosquito, and Teflon on the same flame-resistant fabric.
Difference Between Inherent Flame Retardant Fabrics And Treated Flame Retardant Fabrics
For more Fireproof Woven Textile Manufacturerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Inherent flame retardant fabrics are fabrics that are made from fibers that have a natural resistance to flames. This means there wouldn&#;t be any need for these fabrics to go through any additional treatment to become flame retardant. And as these fabrics are naturally flame resistant, they will remain resistant to flames throughout their life without wearing off.
Flame retardant fabrics that are treated are dipped or sprayed with chemicals that are flame resistant. This treatment makes the fabric flame-resistant, but its resistance to flames isn&#;t permanent. Treated flame retardant fabrics can wear off, and their protection against flames can decrease in effectiveness over time. This is possible after they&#;ve been washed a couple of times, used on a regular basis, or exposed to certain elements that have damaged their protective finish.
bottom line
For professionals that deal with fire on a daily basis, such as utility workers or firefighters, any degree of flame retardant fabrics can work. There are various fabrics to choose from. Some are naturally flame retardant, while others are treated to be flame retardant. So be mindful of your choice!
What Type of Fabric Is Used in Fire Resistant Clothing? Posted by Monarch Social on January 30,
At first glance, it may seem as if fire-resistant and fire-retardant materials are interchangeable; however, the differences between these two qualities can feel vastly different when you&#;re in an actual fire.
Fire resistant cloth that protects you from getting burned by flames is known as fire resistant. These consist of materials that are naturally resistant to fire and may also be chemically treated to withstand high temperatures. Fire-resistant clothing is like a castle wall because they can withstand external forces (such as fires) from getting in.
On the other hand, fr clothing designed to slow down or prevent a fire from spreading is fire retardant. Clothing labeled as such uses synthetic materials specifically engineered to suppress flames. If resistant material is like a castle wall, then retardant material is more akin to a suit of armor. The differences between fr rated clothing don&#;t end there. Continue reading to learn about the specific materials that fall into these two categories so you can be more equipped to select the frc clothing that suits your needs.
Aramids
Aramid fibers are made from a polymer called poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide, a type of synthetic material known for its high strength and heat resistance. This material is commonly found in aerospace, military, and industrial fr clothing.
These are some of the properties of aramid fibers:
lightweight
strong
high melting point
high tensile strength
When it comes to fr workwear, aramid fibers are perfect for high-performance protective garments that must be resistant to heat, flame, and cuts, such as firefighting uniforms.
Coated Nylon and Polyester
Most people are familiar with nylon and polyester since they are two of the most commonly used synthetic textiles. In fact, nylon and polyester are so common that it is difficult to find a product that isn't reliant on one of these two materials.
While similar, each of these materials also has distinct properties. Nylon is known for its elasticity and abrasion resistance, while polyester stands out for its wrinkle resistance and ability to hold bright colors.
Both nylon and polyester can be chemically treated to give them flame-resistant properties as well, often in the form of a coating.
Nomex
Developed in the s for fr uniforms worn by military pilots, Nomex was designed to be lightweight yet strong enough to withstand the heat and flame of a jet engine fire. Upon its successful development, this novel material astounded chemical engineers.
Now, Nomex is a well-known aramid material owned by DuPont, a company specializing in the production of synthetic fibers and polymers. As with other aramids, Nomex is known for its high strength and heat resistance. One of the key ways that the Nomex brand distinguishes itself is through its commitment to innovation, quality, and performance.
PBI
Polybenzimidazole is a synthetic fiber and most people call it PBI for short. As with other materials in its class, PBI is strong, durable, and heat resistant. So what makes PBI stand out from the crowd? The answer is its melting point.
PBI fibers have a melting point of around 500°C, much higher than the melting point of other synthetic fibers, such as nylon, polyester, and even aramid. This high melting point makes PBI fibers an ideal choice for fr work clothes that must withstand extreme temperatures.
Today, PBI is often used in protective gear such as helmet liners and gloves for military personnel's protective gear. PBI fibers are also resistant to chemicals and UV radiation, making them very durable and long-lasting. This material is often combined with cotton or spandex to make fr gear that is both comfortable and functional.
Modacrylic
Not to be confused with acrylic, modacrylic is another flame-resistant synthetic fiber. It is made from various chemical monomers, including acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride. Modacrylic fibers are found in clothing, bedding, upholstery, and other textiles.
Modacrylic has a well-known property that resists heat and flames. In terms of synthetic materials, modacrylic sits in the middle of the pack when it comes to its melting point, at a respectable 180°C. While still a good choice for protective clothing, modacrylic fibers may be more or less suitable for particular applications and performance requirements.
Conclusion
Fire resistant uniforms are a crucial investment for anyone working in a potentially hazardous environment. Not only does fr clothing give you an extra layer of protection in the event of a fire, but it can also provide peace of mind knowing that you have taken the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe.
Master Brands is among the top fire safety clothing suppliers in the U.S. Make the switch and start ordering your custom fr clothing from us today!
Are you interested in learning more about Fireproof Woven Textile Factory? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!