Among all fire hazards, textiles getting burnt are more due to its widespread use. Majority of fire accidents are associated with the burning of textiles. Cellulosics that is commonly used in garments are comfortable, but are more prone to inflammability. The weight and weave of the fabrics also decides its inflammability. Heavy and tight woven fabrics burn slowly than loosely woven fabrics. Flammability is important, particularly for textiles. A retardant finish is given to fabrics to prevent it from getting burnt.
Flame retardant materials can be effectively applied to both natural as well as synthetic fibres. Fibres are treated with a chemical which minimizes the fabrics flammability and makes it almost non-combustible. When a fire occurs, the chemical coated on the fabric reacts with the gases and tars generated by the fabric. It converts the gases and tars to carbon char, and ultimately slows down the burning speed of the fabric.
Various fire-retardant materials used in clothing:
Pyrovatex fr cotton
Dale Antiflame
Indura fr cotton
Technora
Teijinconex
Lenzing FR (fire retardant Rayon)
Carbon X
Fire retardant fabrics are used in a variety of applications like industrial work wear, uniforms for fire fighters, air force pilots, tent and parachute fabric, professional motor racing apparel etc to protect the wearer against fires, and electrical arcs etc. They are mostly used in interior materials like curtains, in hotels, hospitals and theaters. Materials like Twaron are used in fabrics to withstand high temperature in industry like fire fighting. Materials like aluminum hydroxide are commonly used as fire retardant as it gives three way protection. It breaks down to give off water vapor, and further absorbs much heat, thereby cooling the material and the residue of alumina and forms a protective layer.
Flame retardancy of a fabric depends on the number of times; the fabric is dry cleaned, and the environmental conditions in which the fabric is used. The fire retardant properties of a finished fabric are normally tested by using addon, tensile strength, LOI-value, and vertical flame test determinations.