Flame Resistant Fibres, Fabrics and Apparel: Balancing Protection, Comfort and Durability
Flame resistant fabrics play a crucial role in providing protection from hazards such as heat, flames, electric arcs and molten metal. As such, they are widely used in the manufacture of protective apparel for personnel working in a number of industries as well as for firefighters and military personnel. Manufacturers of flame resistant fabrics have a broad range of flame retardant finishes and inherently flame resistant fibres from which to choose when developing their products. Furthermore, the range of flame resistant fabrics available is extremely diverse, and includes denim style fabrics, fleece fabrics, heavy duty fabrics, knitted fabrics and lightweight shirt fabrics. Manufacturers of flame resistant fabrics are continuing to innovate, and there is a trend towards the development of flame resistant fabrics which incorporate additional properties such as breathability and moisture management in order to improve comfort. Overall, global demand for flame resistant fabrics is forecast to grow at a healthy pace in the coming years, reflecting the implementation of stricter safety standards and a spur in infrastructure projects in developing markets. However, the market faces some challenges notably those associated with environmental sustainability. This report provides a wealth of information on recent developments in the market for flame resistant fabrics, and discusses the opportunities and challenges facing the market. Topics explored in the report include: markets for flame resistant fibres, fabrics and apparel; the flammability of different fibres; factors affecting the flammability of apparel; measuring flame resistance; flammability testing of fabrics for use in the manufacture of consumer products; different types of flame resistant fibres, fabrics and apparel; flammability regulations; standards for flame resistant personal protective apparel; key producers of flame retardant finishes and additives and their products; and key producers of flame resistant fibres, yarns and fabrics and their products. Also, it provides an outlook for the future.
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
MARKETS FOR FLAME RESISTANT FIBRES, FABRICS AND APPAREL
Flame retardant treated (FRT) fabrics
Inherently flame resistant fabrics
Trends in the market for flame retardant chemicals
Trends in the market for aramid fibres
Trends in the market for flame resistant fabrics
Trends in flame resistant fabrics
Challenges associated with flame resistant fabrics
Trends in the market for flame resistant apparel
FLAMMABILITY OF FIBRES
FACTORS AFFECTING THE FLAMMABILITY OF APPAREL
Fibre content
Fabric construction
Fabric weight
Fabric construction
Fabric surface texture
Moisture content
Presence of additives or contaminants in the fabric
Garment design
Effect of components used in apparel
Laundering of the apparel after use
DEFINITION AND MEASUREMENT OF FLAME RESISTANCE
Definition of a flame resistant fabric
Measurement of flame resistance
FLAMMABILITY TESTING OF FABRICS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS
FLAME RESISTANT FIBRES AND FABRICS
Inherently flame resistant fibres
Aromatic polyamides (aramids)
Polybenzimidazole (PBI)
Polybenzoxazole (PBO)
Fibres containing flame retardants
Flame resistant viscose
Flame resistant polyester
Fabrics containing flame retardants
Mode of action
Flame retardant technologies
FLAME RESISTANT CLOTHING
Firefighters’ apparel
Standards
Advances in fibre and fabric technology
Functions of fabrics used in clothing for firefighters
Multi-layer structure
Fit
Compatibility with other items
Comfort and freedom of movement
Enhancing the performance of turnout gear while reducing weight
Industrial workwear
Common causes of ignition and burning in industrial workwear
Types of fabrics, treatments and testing
Multi-functional industrial workwear
Military clothing
Usage of flame resistant military clothing
Motor racing apparel
Developments in the design and construction of apparel for racing drivers
Testing and approval
Components of racing driver apparel
Importance of comfort
FLAMMABILITY REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR FLAME RESISTANT PERSONAL PROTECTIVE APPAREL
KEY PRODUCERS OF FLAME RETARDANT FINISHES AND ADDITIVES AND THEIR PRODUCTS
Alexium International Group (Alexium): Alexiflam FR and Alexiflam NF
Clariant: Exolit
Huntsman Textile Effects: Pyrovatex CP NEW and Pyrovatex CP-LF
Lubrizol: flame retardant coatings and additives
Solvay: Proban
KEY PRODUCERS OF FLAME RESISTANT FIBRES AND YARNS AND THEIR PRODUCTS
DuPont: Nomex
Evonik Fibres: P84
Filidea: Protal Green yarn
Fire-Dex: Tecgen fibre
Gun Ei Chemical Industry: Kynol fibres
Kaneka Corporation: Kanecaron and Protex
Kermel: Kermel
Lenzing: LENZING FR
PBI Performance Products: PBI
RadiciGroup: Starlight FR yarn
Teijin Aramid: Twaron and Teijinconex
Toyobo: Zylon
Yantai Tayho Advanced Materials (Tayho): Newstar meta-aramid fibre
KEY PRODUCERS OF FLAME RESISTANT FABRICS AND THEIR PRODUCTS
Carrington Textiles: flame retardant treated (FRT) fabrics and inherently flame resistant fabrics
Daletec: MetalShield, RigShield and SparkShield fabrics
Glen Raven: GlenGuard FR and GlenGuard Hi-Vis
Milliken & Company (Milliken): ResQ and Westex branded flame resistant fabrics
ResQ
Tecgen71
Westex by Milliken and Westex fabrics
Mount Vernon FR: flame resistant fabrics
National Safety Apparel: Drifire
PBI Performance Products: fabrics incorporating PBI fibre
Polartec: flame resistant fabrics with additional performance properties
TenCate Protective Fabrics: flame resistant fabrics for workwear and firefighters’ apparel
Flame resistant fabrics for workwear
Flame resistant fabrics for firefighters’ apparel
Flame resistant fabrics for military applications
W L Gore & Associates: Gore Pyrad fabric
OUTLOOK
INTRODUCTION
MARKETS FOR FLAME RESISTANT FIBRES, FABRICS AND APPAREL
Flame retardant treated (FRT) fabrics
Inherently flame resistant fabrics
Trends in the market for flame retardant chemicals
Trends in the market for aramid fibres
Trends in the market for flame resistant fabrics
Trends in flame resistant fabrics
Challenges associated with flame resistant fabrics
Trends in the market for flame resistant apparel
FLAMMABILITY OF FIBRES
FACTORS AFFECTING THE FLAMMABILITY OF APPAREL
Fibre content
Fabric construction
Fabric weight
Fabric construction
Fabric surface texture
Moisture content
Presence of additives or contaminants in the fabric
Garment design
Effect of components used in apparel
Laundering of the apparel after use
DEFINITION AND MEASUREMENT OF FLAME RESISTANCE
Definition of a flame resistant fabric
Measurement of flame resistance
FLAMMABILITY TESTING OF FABRICS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS
FLAME RESISTANT FIBRES AND FABRICS
Inherently flame resistant fibres
Aromatic polyamides (aramids)
Polybenzimidazole (PBI)
Polybenzoxazole (PBO)
Fibres containing flame retardants
Flame resistant viscose
Flame resistant polyester
Fabrics containing flame retardants
Mode of action
Flame retardant technologies
FLAME RESISTANT CLOTHING
Firefighters’ apparel
Standards
Advances in fibre and fabric technology
Functions of fabrics used in clothing for firefighters
Multi-layer structure
Fit
Compatibility with other items
Comfort and freedom of movement
Enhancing the performance of turnout gear while reducing weight
Industrial workwear
Common causes of ignition and burning in industrial workwear
Types of fabrics, treatments and testing
Multi-functional industrial workwear
Military clothing
Usage of flame resistant military clothing
Motor racing apparel
Developments in the design and construction of apparel for racing drivers
Testing and approval
Components of racing driver apparel
Importance of comfort
FLAMMABILITY REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR FLAME RESISTANT PERSONAL PROTECTIVE APPAREL
KEY PRODUCERS OF FLAME RETARDANT FINISHES AND ADDITIVES AND THEIR PRODUCTS
Alexium International Group (Alexium): Alexiflam FR and Alexiflam NF
Clariant: Exolit
Huntsman Textile Effects: Pyrovatex CP NEW and Pyrovatex CP-LF
Lubrizol: flame retardant coatings and additives
Solvay: Proban
KEY PRODUCERS OF FLAME RESISTANT FIBRES AND YARNS AND THEIR PRODUCTS
DuPont: Nomex
Evonik Fibres: P84
Filidea: Protal Green yarn
Fire-Dex: Tecgen fibre
Gun Ei Chemical Industry: Kynol fibres
Kaneka Corporation: Kanecaron and Protex
Kermel: Kermel
Lenzing: LENZING FR
PBI Performance Products: PBI
RadiciGroup: Starlight FR yarn
Teijin Aramid: Twaron and Teijinconex
Toyobo: Zylon
Yantai Tayho Advanced Materials (Tayho): Newstar meta-aramid fibre
KEY PRODUCERS OF FLAME RESISTANT FABRICS AND THEIR PRODUCTS
Carrington Textiles: flame retardant treated (FRT) fabrics and inherently flame resistant fabrics
Daletec: MetalShield, RigShield and SparkShield fabrics
Glen Raven: GlenGuard FR and GlenGuard Hi-Vis
Milliken & Company (Milliken): ResQ and Westex branded flame resistant fabrics
ResQ
Tecgen71
Westex by Milliken and Westex fabrics
Mount Vernon FR: flame resistant fabrics
National Safety Apparel: Drifire
PBI Performance Products: fabrics incorporating PBI fibre
Polartec: flame resistant fabrics with additional performance properties
TenCate Protective Fabrics: flame resistant fabrics for workwear and firefighters’ apparel
Flame resistant fabrics for workwear
Flame resistant fabrics for firefighters’ apparel
Flame resistant fabrics for military applications
W L Gore & Associates: Gore Pyrad fabric
OUTLOOK
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Ignition temperature and maximum flame temperature of selected fibre types
Table 2: Burning characteristics of selected fibre types
Table 3: Effect of fabric weight on the burning rate of cotton fabrics and viscose rayon staple fabrics
Table 4: Ignitability of different fibre types
Table 5: Selected flammability tests, 2019
Table 6: USA: Flammable Fabrics Act: classes of fabric flammability
Table 7: Standards for the certification of flame resistant personal protective apparel, 2019
Table 8: Properties of P84 polyimide fibre
Table 9: Properties of Kynol novoloid fibres
Table 10: Properties of Zylon and other performance fibres
Table 11: Westex by Milliken: flame resistant fabric product portfolio, 2019
Table 12: Polartec: flame resistant fabric product range, 2019
Table 13: TenCate Protective Fabrics: flame resistant fabrics for workwear, 2019
Table 14: TenCate Protective Fabrics: fabrics for firefighters’ apparel, 2019
Table 1: Ignition temperature and maximum flame temperature of selected fibre types
Table 2: Burning characteristics of selected fibre types
Table 3: Effect of fabric weight on the burning rate of cotton fabrics and viscose rayon staple fabrics
Table 4: Ignitability of different fibre types
Table 5: Selected flammability tests, 2019
Table 6: USA: Flammable Fabrics Act: classes of fabric flammability
Table 7: Standards for the certification of flame resistant personal protective apparel, 2019
Table 8: Properties of P84 polyimide fibre
Table 9: Properties of Kynol novoloid fibres
Table 10: Properties of Zylon and other performance fibres
Table 11: Westex by Milliken: flame resistant fabric product portfolio, 2019
Table 12: Polartec: flame resistant fabric product range, 2019
Table 13: TenCate Protective Fabrics: flame resistant fabrics for workwear, 2019
Table 14: TenCate Protective Fabrics: fabrics for firefighters’ apparel, 2019
