Light flame-retardant garment with high arc protection value

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of functional garments, and discloses a light flame-retardant garment with a high arc protection value, which comprises five layers of fabrics and a plurality of flame-retardant accessories which are sequentially arranged from outside to inside. The five layers of fabrics are respectively a flame-retardant arc-proof fabric, a waterproof moisture-permeable flame-retardant insulating layer, a flame-retardant heat-insulating layer, a flame-retardant air layer and a flame-retardant comfortable layer; the flame-retardant accessories comprise flame-retardant resin buttons, flame-retardant nylon zippers, flame-retardant sewing threads and flame-retardant reflective tapes. Through scientific combination of multiple layers of fabrics and application of high-performance materials, the comprehensive protection effects of flame retardance, electric arc prevention, water resistance, moisture permeability, heat insulation and comfort are achieved, and the fabric is suitable for high-protection-demand scenes such as electric power operation and fire rescue and has important practical value and social significance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of functional clothing technology, specifically to a lightweight flame-retardant garment with high arc resistance. Background Technology

[0002] In industrial production and special working environments, flame-retardant clothing serves as an important piece of personal protective equipment, primarily used to protect workers from the threats of flames, electric arcs, and other high temperatures. Especially in high-risk scenarios such as power maintenance, petrochemicals, and emergency rescue, the performance of flame-retardant clothing directly impacts the safety of workers.

[0003] However, existing flame-retardant clothing still has many shortcomings in terms of functionality, comfort, and lightweight design. Traditional flame-retardant clothing usually uses single or few layers of functional fabrics, making it difficult to simultaneously meet multiple requirements such as arc flash protection, waterproofing and breathability, heat insulation, and comfort. In addition, due to limitations in material selection and structural design, some existing garments exhibit insufficient protective performance, poor breathability, or excessive weight when facing complex environments, thereby affecting the wearer's work efficiency and experience.

[0004] Therefore, developing a flame-retardant garment that combines lightweight design, high protective performance, and good comfort has become an urgent technical challenge. This invention, through an innovative five-layer fabric structure and the application of various high-performance flame-retardant components, aims to provide a lightweight flame-retardant garment with high arc resistance, overcoming the shortcomings of existing technologies and meeting practical application needs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing flame-retardant protective clothing in terms of arc impact protection, waterproof and breathable performance, heat insulation, and wearing comfort, proposing a lightweight flame-retardant garment with high arc resistance. The technical solution overcomes the deficiencies of traditional protective clothing in terms of multi-performance synergy through the scientific combination of five layers of fabric and the application of various flame-retardant accessories.

[0006] This invention provides a lightweight, high arc-resistant flame-retardant garment, comprising five layers of fabric arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside, and various flame-retardant accessories. The five fabric layers are: a flame-retardant arc-resistant fabric, a waterproof and breathable flame-retardant insulating layer, a flame-retardant heat-insulating layer, a flame-retardant air layer, and a flame-retardant comfort layer. Furthermore, the flame-retardant accessories include buttons made of flame-retardant resin, zippers made of flame-retardant nylon, parts sewn with flame-retardant thread, and a design using flame-retardant reflective tape to improve visibility.

[0007] Specifically, the flame-retardant and arc-resistant fabric, located on the outermost layer, is a blend of para-aramid fibers and meta-aramid fibers in a 3:2 ratio. The fiber surface is coated with a phosphorus-containing flame retardant, with the coating thickness controlled between 10 and 20 micrometers to enhance flame-retardant performance. Furthermore, the flame-retardant and arc-resistant fabric has more than 500 fibers per square centimeter to ensure high strength and high density, enabling it to withstand arc impacts.

[0008] Furthermore, the waterproof, breathable, and flame-retardant insulating layer is located as the second layer and is composed of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microporous membrane and flame-retardant fibers. The pore size of the microporous membrane ranges from 0.1 micrometers to 0.3 micrometers, which ensures that moisture cannot penetrate while allowing water vapor to pass through, thus achieving waterproof and breathable functionality. In particular, the waterproof, breathable, and flame-retardant insulating layer also includes a flame-retardant resin coating with a thickness of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. This coating is prepared by combining an epoxy resin substrate with inorganic flame-retardant fillers, with a filler content of 35% to 45%, to improve the overall flame retardancy and insulation performance.

[0009] Furthermore, the flame-retardant and heat-insulating layer is located as the third layer and is made of a blend of ceramic fiber and aramid fiber in a ratio of 2:1 to 3:1. The thickness of the flame-retardant and heat-insulating layer is controlled between 1 mm and 2 mm, effectively isolating external heat transfer. In particular, the flame-retardant and heat-insulating layer, through a three-dimensional structural design, forms a stable air gap between the fibers, with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm, further enhancing the heat insulation effect.

[0010] Specifically, the flame-retardant air layer is located in the fourth layer, and its main function is to provide air circulation channels to enhance the breathability and comfort of the garment. The flame-retardant air layer is made of flame-retardant polyester fiber with a melting point of not less than 260 degrees Celsius to meet flame-retardant requirements. Furthermore, the thickness of the flame-retardant air layer is controlled between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm to optimize air circulation performance.

[0011] Furthermore, the flame-retardant comfort layer, located at the innermost layer and in direct contact with human skin, is a blend of flame-retardant treated cotton fibers and modal fibers in a ratio of 3:1 to 4:1. A nano-scale hydrophilic coating, 50 to 100 nanometers thick, is added to the surface of the fibers, significantly improving moisture-wicking performance and enhancing wearing comfort. Specifically, the hydrophilic coating is prepared by combining polyurethane material with silica nanoparticles, with a particle size of 20 to 50 nanometers, thereby improving hydrophilicity.

[0012] In particular, the design of the flame-retardant accessories also emphasizes functionality and safety. The buttons are made of flame-retardant resin with a heat distortion temperature of no less than 200 degrees Celsius, ensuring they will not burn or melt in high-temperature environments. The zippers are made of flame-retardant nylon with a breaking strength of no less than 50 Newtons, balancing durability and safety. The sewing thread is flame-retardant with a limiting oxygen index of no less than 30%, ensuring the overall flame-retardant performance of the garment is not affected by the seams. The reflective tape is flame-retardant with a reflectivity of no less than 300 candela / lux, improving visibility at night or in low-light conditions while also possessing flame-retardant properties.

[0013] This invention also provides a method for manufacturing lightweight flame-retardant clothing with high arc resistance, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0014] S1 cuts the prepared five layers of fabric according to the style and size requirements of the garment;

[0015] S2 will bond the five cut layers of fabric in sequence from the outside to the inside. It can be connected by hot pressing or adhesive bonding. The bonding pressure is 0.5 MPa to 1 MPa and the bonding temperature is 120 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius to ensure that the layers of fabric are tightly bonded together.

[0016] S3 uses flame-retardant sewing thread to attach flame-retardant resin buttons, flame-retardant nylon zippers, and flame-retardant reflective tape to the bonded fabric, completing the overall assembly of the garment.

[0017] Furthermore, the surface temperature uniformity of the hot-pressing mold used in the hot-pressing method does not exceed ±5 degrees Celsius to avoid a decrease in bonding quality due to uneven temperature. In particular, the adhesive used in the adhesive bonding method is a flame-retardant polyurethane adhesive with a glass transition temperature not lower than -20 degrees Celsius to ensure bonding performance in low-temperature environments.

[0018] This invention provides a lightweight flame-retardant garment with high arc resistance. It has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] This invention achieves comprehensive protection with flame retardancy, arc flash protection, waterproofing and breathability, heat insulation, and comfort through the scientific combination of multiple fabrics. The application of high-performance materials significantly enhances the protective performance of the garment. Specifically, the selection of high-performance materials such as para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers, and ceramic fibers, combined with special processes such as phosphorus-containing flame retardant coating and three-dimensional structural design, greatly improves the garment's protective capabilities. Furthermore, optimized design details prevent the overall protective capability from decreasing due to localized failures. Therefore, this invention provides a multifunctional protective garment with excellent flame retardancy, arc flash protection, waterproofing and breathability, heat insulation, and comfort, possessing significant practical value and social significance. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of the five-layer fabric and flame-retardant accessories of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a detailed block diagram illustrating the functions and material composition of the five-layer fabric of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the manufacturing method in this invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing the distribution of the flame-retardant components of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the detection method of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] This invention provides a lightweight flame-retardant garment with high arc resistance, combined with... Figure 1 To be continued Figure 5 Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. For example... Figure 1 As shown, it is equipped with five layers of fabric and various flame-retardant accessories from the outside to the inside, and each part achieves comprehensive protective performance through scientific design. Figure 2 The functional positioning and material composition of each layer are clearly shown. The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and practical application scenarios.

[0027] In this embodiment, the flame-retardant and arc-resistant fabric is the outermost layer of the garment. It is made of a blend of para-aramid fibers and meta-aramid fibers in a 3:2 ratio. The fiber surface is coated with a phosphorus-containing flame retardant coating, with a thickness controlled between 10 and 20 micrometers. The fabric has over 500 fibers per square centimeter, a high-density design that ensures excellent tensile strength and tear resistance while significantly improving arc-force resistance. In practical applications, this fabric can effectively withstand arc energy up to 8 calories per square centimeter, making it suitable for high-risk environments such as power operations and industrial production.

[0028] The waterproof, breathable, and flame-retardant insulation layer is located as the second layer. This layer is composed of a polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane and flame-retardant fibers, with the microporous membrane having a pore size ranging from 0.1 micrometers to 0.3 micrometers. This pore size design prevents moisture penetration but allows water vapor to pass through, thus achieving excellent waterproof and breathable properties. In addition, the waterproof, breathable, and flame-retardant insulation layer also includes a flame-retardant resin coating with a thickness of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, which is prepared by combining an epoxy resin substrate with inorganic flame-retardant fillers, with a filler content of 35% to 45%. This coating design not only enhances the overall flame retardancy but also provides excellent insulation properties, capable of withstanding voltages up to 10 kV without breakdown. In high-temperature and humid environments, this layer effectively prevents external moisture intrusion while keeping the inside dry, improving wearing comfort.

[0029] The flame-retardant and heat-insulating layer is located in the third layer. This layer is made of a blend of ceramic fiber and aramid fiber, with a blending ratio of 2:1 to 3:1 and a thickness controlled between 1 mm and 2 mm. Through a three-dimensional structural design, a stable air gap is formed between the fibers, with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. This design significantly enhances the heat insulation effect, capable of blocking external heat transfer up to 300 degrees Celsius for a short time, protecting the human body from high-temperature burns. In fire rescue scenarios, this layer can effectively slow down heat conduction, buying more evacuation time for personnel.

[0030] The flame-retardant air layer, located as the fourth layer, primarily functions to provide airflow channels, enhancing the garment's breathability and comfort. This layer is made of flame-retardant polyester fibers with a melting point of at least 260 degrees Celsius, and its thickness is controlled between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm. In practical applications, the flame-retardant air layer, through optimized thickness and fiber arrangement, ensures smooth airflow within the garment, thereby regulating body temperature and reducing stuffiness. Especially during prolonged work or high-intensity exercise, this layer maintains excellent breathability, preventing discomfort caused by sweat buildup.

[0031] The flame-retardant comfort layer, located at the innermost layer and in direct contact with the skin, is a blend of flame-retardant treated cotton and modal fibers in a ratio of 3:1 to 4:1. A nano-scale hydrophilic coating, 50 to 100 nanometers thick, is applied to the fiber surface. This hydrophilic coating is prepared by combining polyurethane material with silica nanoparticles, with a particle size of 20 to 50 nanometers. This coating design significantly improves moisture-wicking properties, allowing sweat to evaporate quickly and keeping the skin dry. In high-temperature environments, this layer provides workers with a comfortable, close-fitting feel while meeting flame-retardant requirements.

[0032] Regarding the design of flame-retardant accessories, the buttons are made of flame-retardant resin with a heat distortion temperature of no less than 200 degrees Celsius, ensuring they will not burn or melt in high-temperature environments. The zippers are made of flame-retardant nylon with a breaking strength of no less than 50 Newtons, balancing durability and safety. The sewing thread uses flame-retardant thread with a limiting oxygen index of no less than 30%, ensuring the overall flame-retardant performance of the garment is not affected by the seams. The reflective tape uses flame-retardant reflective tape with a reflectivity of no less than 300 candela / lux, improving visibility at night or in low-light conditions. Figure 4 The flame-retardant accessories include the distribution of flame-retardant resin buttons, flame-retardant nylon zippers, and flame-retardant reflective tape.

[0033] The manufacturing method of this invention includes several key steps:

[0034] S1 cuts the prepared five layers of fabric according to the style and size requirements of the garment;

[0035] S2 will bond the five layers of fabric cut out from the outside to the inside in sequence. You can choose to connect them by hot pressing or adhesive bonding. During the hot pressing process, the temperature uniformity deviation of the mold surface shall not exceed ±5 degrees Celsius, the bonding pressure shall be 0.5 MPa to 1 MPa, and the bonding temperature shall be 120 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius.

[0036] If adhesive bonding is used, a flame-retardant polyurethane adhesive with a glass transition temperature of not less than -20 degrees Celsius should be selected to ensure bonding performance in low-temperature environments.

[0037] S3 uses flame-retardant sewing thread to attach flame-retardant resin buttons, flame-retardant nylon zippers, and flame-retardant reflective tape to the bonded fabric, completing the overall assembly of the garment.

[0038] In practical applications, the flame-retardant clothing of this invention is suitable for various scenarios such as power operations, fire rescue, and industrial production. For example, in power maintenance operations, the flame-retardant arc-resistant fabric can withstand sudden arc impacts, protecting workers from burns. The waterproof, breathable, and flame-retardant insulating layer isolates external moisture and current, ensuring safety. In fire rescue scenarios, the flame-retardant heat insulation layer can effectively delay heat conduction, buying more time for rescuers. The flame-retardant air layer and flame-retardant comfort layer work together to provide excellent breathability and comfort, keeping workers comfortable during long periods of work.

[0039] In summary, this invention, through the scientific combination of multiple fabrics and the application of high-performance materials, has successfully developed a multifunctional protective garment that combines excellent flame retardancy, arc flash protection, waterproof and breathable properties, thermal insulation, and comfort. This garment has significant practical value and social significance in real-world applications, meeting high protection requirements and ensuring the safety and health of workers.

[0040] like Figure 5 As shown, a testing method for a lightweight, high-arc-resistance flame-retardant garment based on a five-layer fabric (flame-retardant arc-resistance fabric, waterproof and breathable flame-retardant insulation layer, flame-retardant heat insulation layer, flame-retardant air layer, and flame-retardant comfort layer) or the assembled garment includes the following steps:

[0041] S1. Testing Standards

[0042] The fabric testing methods are based on ASTM F1891-19 and ASTM F1959 / F1959M-24 standards, and are designed to evaluate the fabric’s arc thermal properties and flame retardant properties.

[0043] S2. Sample Preparation

[0044] Pre-treat the samples according to the cleaning process and number of cleaning cycles specified by the manufacturer. If the number of cleaning cycles is not specified, perform three cleaning cycles according to AATCC test method 135, procedure 3, IV, A, and III.

[0045] After cleaning, lay the sample flat and allow it to rest for at least 24 hours to ensure it returns to its test condition.

[0046] S3. Test Method

[0047] S3-1. Arc Test

[0048] The sample was mounted on a test plate and tested using a vertical open arc method, with a heat flux density set to 2100 kW / m². 2 (50cal / cm 2 s);

[0049] Record the thermal energy transfer of the sample under electric arc exposure and compare it with the Stoll standard;

[0050] Observe and record phenomena such as sample breakage, carbonization, melting, and dripping;

[0051] S3-2. Flame retardant performance test

[0052] According to the ASTM D6413 test method, measure the char length and post-flame time of the sample, ensuring that the char length is less than 150 mm and the post-flame time is less than 2 seconds;

[0053] S4. Data Recording and Analysis

[0054] Record the input energy, sample reaction, afterburn time, and other data for each test, and perform logistic regression analysis to determine the arc level (ATPV) and open circuit threshold (EBT).

[0055] The performance of the sample at different energy levels was statistically analyzed to ensure that at least 20 data points were obtained to meet the response requirements of logistic regression.

[0056] S5. Results Evaluation

[0057] Based on the test results, the arc rating and flame retardant performance of the samples were evaluated to ensure that they met the design requirements for lightweight flame-retardant clothing with high arc resistance.

[0058] Record the final test results, including ATPV and EBT values, and note the specific performance and observations of the sample in the report.

[0059] In summary, the above testing methods can effectively evaluate the fabric performance of lightweight flame-retardant clothing with high arc resistance, ensuring its safety and effectiveness in practical applications.

[0060] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A lightweight flame-retardant garment with high arc resistance, comprising five layers of fabric arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside and various flame-retardant accessories, characterized in that: The five layers of fabric are flame-retardant and arc-proof fabric, waterproof and breathable flame-retardant insulation layer, flame-retardant heat insulation layer, flame-retardant air layer, and flame-retardant comfort layer; Flame-retardant accessories include flame-retardant resin buttons, flame-retardant nylon zippers, flame-retardant sewing thread, and flame-retardant reflective tape.

2. The lightweight flame-retardant clothing with high arc resistance value according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flame-retardant and arc-resistant fabric is made of a blend of para-aramid fibers and meta-aramid fibers in a ratio of 3:2, and the fiber surface is coated with a phosphorus-containing flame retardant.

3. The lightweight flame-retardant clothing with high arc resistance value according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flame-retardant and arc-resistant fabric has more than 500 fibers per square centimeter per unit area.

4. The lightweight flame-retardant clothing with high arc resistance value according to claim 1, characterized in that, The waterproof, breathable, and flame-retardant insulating layer is composed of a polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane and flame-retardant fibers. The pore size of the microporous membrane ranges from 0.1 micrometers to 0.3 micrometers, and includes a flame-retardant resin coating with a thickness of 0.2 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.

5. A lightweight flame-retardant garment with high arc resistance value according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flame-retardant resin coating is prepared by combining an epoxy resin substrate with inorganic flame-retardant fillers, with the filler content being 35% to 45%.

6. The lightweight flame-retardant clothing with high arc resistance value according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flame-retardant and heat-insulating layer is made of ceramic fiber and aramid fiber blended in a ratio of 2:1 to 3:1, and the thickness is controlled between 1 mm and 2 mm.

7. A lightweight flame-retardant garment with high arc resistance value according to claim 6, characterized in that, The flame-retardant and heat-insulating layer forms a stable air gap between the fibers through a three-dimensional structural design.

8. The lightweight flame-retardant clothing with high arc resistance value according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flame-retardant comfort layer is made of flame-retardant treated cotton fibers and modal fibers in a blend ratio of 3:1 to 4:

1. A nano-level hydrophilic coating is added to the fiber surface, with a coating thickness of 50 nanometers to 100 nanometers.

9. A method for manufacturing a lightweight flame-retardant garment with high arc resistance, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: According to the style and size requirements of the clothing, the prepared flame-retardant and arc-proof fabric, waterproof and breathable flame-retardant insulation layer, flame-retardant heat insulation layer, flame-retardant air layer and flame-retardant comfort layer are cut. The five cut layers of fabric are bonded together in order from the outside to the inside. Methods including but not limited to hot pressing and adhesive bonding can be used to ensure that the layers of fabric are bonded tightly. Flame-retardant sewing thread is used to attach flame-retardant resin buttons, flame-retardant nylon zippers, and flame-retardant reflective tape to the bonded fabric, completing the garment assembly.

Images