Search

This paper recognizes the need for fabrics that are less flammable and describes criteria normally employed to evaluate flammability characteristics—ease of ignition, rate of burning, ease of extinguishment, types and amounts of smoke and toxic gas generation, thermal shrinkage, thermal insulation ability, and integrity of material at and during the time of heat and fire exposure. Fire-resisting properties of Nomex, Durette, Fypro, FRL-T-fibers, Kynol and PBI fiber are reviewed, and the performances of some of them exposed in garment form to a burning jet fuel fire are reported. Regular and modified PBI fabrics and the modified aromatic polyamlde fabrics are reported to show great promise for use in protective clothing. Their potential for general apparel and home furnishings is also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber battings are becoming increasingly important for their uses as insulation. This paper reports the results of an investigation of the influence of thickness, applied pressure, bulk density and fiber type on insulation parameters such as Clo and Warmth Factor. The specific Clo value of 3.4 Clo per inch for battings falls between specific Clo values for fabrics and fabric-foam laminates. Warmth Factor, for a given batting weight, increased with thickness; and for a given thickness level, decreased with weight. Neither fiber type, within the limited range investigated, nor batting density had a significant influence on the intrinsic insulation of the battings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]