Some Thoughts and Information On Nonflammable Products.

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]