Flame-retardant fabric and garment

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an inherently flame retardant fabric and apparel made from such a fabric as well as a method of manufacturing a flame retardant fabric.Background of the Invention

[0002] Fire-retardant and flame-retardant fabrics are two different classes of material. Each class has unique attributes that make them advantageous for intense heat or open flame applications, but they use different mechanisms to do so. Fire-retardant fabrics, also known as chemically flame retardant fabrics, are standard fabrics that have been treated with various flame-retardant chemicals. These fabrics will burn, but at a much slower rate than untreated standard fabrics. The chemically treated fabrics have a certain life and wash durability and the fabrics keep on losing their flame and fire-retardant attributes with each wash.

[0003] Flame-retardant fabrics are typically made up of fibers that resist ignition under prolonged exposure to flame or heat. Because of this construction, they are also referred to as inherently flame-retardant (IFR) fabrics. Instead of burning, these fabrics will eventually begin to melt. In IFR fabrics, the flame retardant (FR) performance provides continued protection for the wearer, and the fibers retain their FR properties throughout life of the garment. The attributes most important to wearers of flame retardant apparel are protection, comfort and durability. The durability of FR performance and physical performance of these fabrics is crucial. IFR fabrics are usually made from a fiber blend which contains different IFR fibers of an aromatic nature, FR cellulosic and modacrylics. Non-FR fibers may also be incorporated in a small amount to provide other attributes without essentially adversely affecting the FR properties.

[0004] So far, FR performance have been at focus for both chemically treated and IFR fabrics, and not much attention has been paid towards the comfort and robustness of the fabric. Most of the chemically treated and IFR fabrics are heavy, without stretch, and exhibit poor moisture management due to the chemicals or fibers present.

[0005] WO 2008 / 027454 A describes unique blends of fibers that incorporate synthetic cellulosic fibers to render fabrics made with such blends more durable than fabrics made with natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton. US 2016 / 060809 A describes lightweight, dyeable fabrics with a balance of high thermal properties, especially arc resistance, on the one hand, and durability and comfort properties, on the other hand. WO 2014 / 025601 A describes a flame resistant fiber blend including a plurality of modacrylic flame resistant fibers comprising a first weight percentage of the fiber blend; a plurality of non-flame resistant hydrophilic / absorbent fibers comprising a second weight percentage of the fiber blend, wherein the second weight percentage is greater than the first weight percentage; and a plurality of second flame resistant fibers comprising a third weight percentage of the fiber blend. In one implementation, the fiber blend includes 20 wt% to 45 wt% of modacrylic flame resistant fibers; 40 wt% to 75 wt% of hydrophilic / absorbent fibers; and 5 wt% to 30 wt% of second flame resistant fibers. EP 3 480 349 A describes a modacrylic-lyocell-nylon blended flame-retardant fabric. US 2012 / 090080 A describes flame resistant fabrics being formed by warp and fill yarns having different fiber contents.

[0006] It would be desirable to provide a flame-retardant fabric and apparel made thereof which have a combination of advantageous properties such as a high strength, stretch, abrasion resistance, comfort and softness; provide a smooth and lustrous feeling, good air permeability and wicking and moisture transport properties, and where the fabric and apparel made thereof are dyeable, printable, industrial launderable and show a controlled shrinkage. It would also be desirable to provide a thicker fabric and / or fabric made of thicker yarn as well as apparel made thereof showing a combination of the advantageous properties mentioned above, in particular high strength, high abrasion resistance, comfort, softness and air permeability. It would also be desirable to provide a method of manufacturing such fabrics and apparel.Summary of the Invention

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved flame retardant fabric and apparel. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inherently flame retardant fabric and apparel which have high strength, stretch, abrasion resistance, comfort, softness and air permeability; good wicking and moisture transport properties; provide a smooth and lustrous feeling; and where the fabric and apparel are dyeable, printable, industrially launderable and show a controlled shrinkage. In particular, the present invention provides a flame retardant fabric and apparel made from such fabric exhibiting high or improved strength properties, such as e.g. tensile strength and tear strength, high or improved stretch, abrasion and / or pilling resistance, and where the fabric and apparel are industrially launderable.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a method of manufacturing a flame retardant fabric and apparel which have the above-mentioned combination of advantageous properties.

[0009] The present invention makes it possible to provide a comfortable, soft, flame retardant fabric and apparel having a combination and balance of advantages properties such as, for example, high strength, abrasion resistance, stretch, robustness and durability, such that the fabric substantially moves with body movement and thereby provides a comfort level to the wearer. The flame retardant fabric and apparel made thereof according to the invention also exhibit excellent FR and IFR properties and performance. Hereby the present invention provides an improved flame retardant fabric and apparel made thereof, in particular in a rugged environment and for demanding and industrial and military applications.

[0010] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention relates to a flame retardant fabric comprising 35-55% by weight of modacrylic fiber, 25-45% by weight of cellulosic fiber, 10-25% by weight of polyamide fiber, 0.5-5% by weight of elastomeric fiber, and 0.5-5% by weight of antistatic fiber, wherein the fabric has a basis weight of from 225 to 400 grams per square meter. The elastomeric fiber is made from crosslinked polyolefin-based polymers.

[0011] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a flame retardant apparel made from the flame retardant fabric as defined above and herein.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a flame retardant fabric comprising making a fabric from 35-55% by weight of modacrylic fiber, 25-45% by weight of cellulosic fiber, 10-25% by weight of polyamide fiber, 0.5-5% by weight of elastomeric fiber, and 0.5-5% by weight of antistatic fiber, wherein the fabric has a basis weight of from 225 to 400 grams per square meter. The elastomeric fiber is made from crosslinked polyolefin-based polymers.

[0013] These and other objects and aspects of the invention will be described in further detail hereinafter.Detailed Description of the Invention

[0014] The present invention relates to a flame retardant fabric, and apparel made thereof, comprising a fiber and / or filament blend comprising modacrylic fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyamide fiber, elastomeric fiber and antistatic fiber. The term "flame retardant fabric", as used herein, refers to a protective layer that has been woven, knitted or otherwise assembled using one or more different types of yarn that are either inherently flame retardant (or at least partly inherently flame retardant) or treated in fabric form to make them flame retardant (or at least partly flame retardant). The term "flame retardant", as used herein, is also referred to as "FR" and may also be referred to as "flame resistant". The term "inherently flame retardant", as used herein, is also referred to as "IFR" and may also be referred as "inherently flame resistant".

[0015] The term "modacrylic fiber", as used herein, also referred to as "modified acrylic fiber", refers to an acrylic synthetic fiber made from a polymer comprising residues of acrylonitrile, preferably primarily residues of acrylonitrile, e.g. polymers having 35-85% by weight of acrylonitrile units, and which may be modified by other monomers. Modacrylic fibers can be spun from an extensive range of copolymers of acrylonitrile. The modacrylic fiber may contain residues of other monomers, including vinyl monomer, e.g. vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, vinyl bromide, etc. The modacrylic fiber of the invention may comprise modacrylic FR fibers. Examples of suitable modacrylic fibers include those sold under the names of PyroTex, Protex, e.g. Protex C, Protex M and Protex Q, Kanekalon, Sef and Panox.

[0016] The modacrylic fiber may be present in the flame retardant fabric of the invention in an amount of from 35, or from 38, or from 40, or from 43% by weight, up to 48, or up to 50, or up to 53, or up to 55% by weight.

[0017] The cellulosic fiber of the fabric of the invention may be selected from natural and / or synthetic cellulosic fibers. Examples of suitable natural cellulosic fibers include cotton, flax, hemp, bast, linen, jute, ramie, bamboo, and blends thereof. Examples of suitable synthetic cellulosic fibers include rayon, lyocell, cellulosic acetate, viscose, and blends thereof. The cellulosic fiber may be treated to render the fiber hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or oleophobic. Examples of suitable cellulosic fibers include those sold under the trade names of Giza Cotton, Pima Cotton, Supima Cotton, Tencel, Lenzing FR, Modal, Viscose and Visil. Preferably, the cellulosic fiber of the invention comprises natural cellulosic fibers, preferably cotton fiber, such as those sold under the trade names of Giza Cotton, Pima Cotton and Supima Cotton.

[0018] Natural and synthetic cellulosic fibers are usually not naturally resistant to flame. To increase the FR properties of such fibers, one or more flame retardants may be incorporated into the fibers during the manufacturing process. Examples of suitable flame retardants include phosphorus and antimony compounds. However, for the purpose of the invention, the cellulosic fibers do not have to be rendered flame resistant, and the cellulosic fiber of the invention may be selected from FR and / or non-FR cellulosic fibers, preferably cotton.

[0019] The cellulosic fiber may be present in the flame retardant fabric of the invention in an amount of from 25, or from 28, or from 30, or from 32% by weight, up to 35, or up to 38, or up to 40, or up to 45% by weight.

[0020] The term "polyamide fiber", as used herein, also referred to as "nylon fiber", refers to a fiber consisting essentially of a polyamide synthetic polymer. The polyamide fiber of the fabric of the invention may be selected polyamides comprising aromatic groups, e.g. aramids, para-aramid (p-aramid), meta-aramid (m-aramid) and p-phenylene terephthalamide. Examples of suitable polyamide fibers include those sold under the trade names of Cordura, Kevlar, Nomex, Teijinconex, Twaron, Technora, Conex and Kermel.

[0021] The polyamide fiber may be present in the flame retardant fabric of the invention in an amount of from 10, or from 13, or from 15, or from 17% by weight, up to 18, or up to 20, or up to 23, or up to 25% by weight.

[0022] The term "elastomeric fiber", as used herein, also referred to as "elastomeric filament" and "elastic fiber", refers to an elastomeric or elastic polymer formed into a fiber or filament. The elastomeric fiber is a fiber with elastic capability, which usually possesses very high elongations at break, and which recovers fully and rapidly from high elongations up to its breaking point. The elastomeric fiber or filament of the fabric of the invention is made from crosslinked polyolefin-based polymers. Examples of suitable elastomeric or elastic fibers include this sold under the trade name of XLANCE.

[0023] The elastomeric fiber may be present in the flame retardant fabric of the invention in an amount of from 1, or from 2 % by weight, or from 2.5% by weight, up to 3, or up to 4, or up to 5% by weight.

[0024] The antistatic fiber of the fabric of the invention is used to reduce or eliminate static electricity on the surface of the fabric. The fibers may be conductive in nature and dissipate any electrostatic charges generated to ensure the safety of the grounded wearer or user of apparel made from the fabric. Examples of suitable antistatic fibers include carbon fibers and synthetic fibers containing carbon or silver. The antistatic fibers may be selected from FR and / or non-FR antistatic fibers. Examples of suitable antistatic fibers include those sold under the trade names of No-Shock and Bekinox.

[0025] The antistatic fiber may be present in the flame retardant fabric of the invention in an amount of from 0.5, or from 0.75, or from 1% by weight, up to 2, or up to 4, or up to 5% by weight.

[0026] The flame retardant fabric of the invention may also contain one or more other fibers, examples of which include anti-microbial fibers, polyester fibers, melamine fibers, and other non-FR, FR and IFR fibers. Such one or more other fibers may be present in minor amounts.

[0027] The term "basis weight", as used herein, refers to a measure of the finished fabric weight per unit area. Typical units include grams per square meter. The basis weight of the fabric of the invention may be from 225, or from 250, or from 275, or from 300 grams per square meter, up to 325, or to 350, or to 375, or up to 400 grams per square meter. The Greige fabric weight, i.e. the weight of unfinished woven, knitted or otherwise assembled fabric that has not yet been bleached or dyed, is usually at least 200, or at least 210 grams per square meter.

[0028] The flame retardant fabric of the invention may comprise yarn having a certain yarn count, which is a numerical value that indicates the coarseness or fineness of the yarn. Count also indicates the relation between weight and length of a yarn. Using the British yarn count, expressed as "S", in which a higher count indicates a finer yarn and a lower count indicates a thicker / coarser yarn, the flame retardant fabric of the invention may contain one or more yarns having a coarseness, or thickness, of at least 12 S (49 tex), or at least 14 S (42 tex), or at least 16 S (37 tex), up to 18 S (33 tex), or up to 20 S (30 tex), or up to 24 S (25 tex). Preferably, the indicated values of yarn count refer to both warp yarn and weft yarn. Denier is the most common SI-based (grams and meters) unit to measure yarn thickness which is defined as the weight of yarn in grams per 9000 meters of yarn. When converting the mentioned numerical values of S to denier (D), the flame retardant fabric of the invention may comprise one or more yarns having a yarn thickness of at least 220 D (242 dtex), or at least 270 D (297 dtex), or at least 300 D (330 dtex), or at least 350 (385 dtex), up to 400 D (440 dtex), or up to 450 D (495 dtex). Preferably, the indicated values of denier refer to both warp yarn and weft yarn.

[0029] The flame retardant fabric of the invention may have anisotropic properties, i.e. different properties in different directions of the fabric, e.g. different properties in an x-y coordinate plane, e.g. in warp and weft directions, or different properties in an x-y-z coordinate plane, e.g. different properties on the body side of the fabric and the face side of the fabric. This can be accomplished by providing one or more warp yarns having a first fiber composition and one or more weft yarns having a second fiber composition which is different from the first fiber composition. The difference in fiber composition can be obtained by providing warp and weft yarns containing the same fibers but in different amounts and / or by providing warp and weft yarns containing different fibers. This may also be accomplished by providing a knitted flame retardant fabric having different properties on each side of the fabric, or a flame retardant composite fabric having two or more layers of flame retardant fabric with different properties.

[0030] The flame retardant fabric of the invention may be a woven, knitted or otherwise assembled fabric, preferably a woven fabric. A woven flame retardant fabric of the invention may comprise one or more warp yarns and one or more weft yarn. The flame retardant fabric of the invention may comprise one or more warp yarns comprising modacrylic fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyamide fiber, elastomeric fiber and antistatic fiber, suitable it comprises one or more warp yarns comprising modacrylic fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyamide fiber and antistatic fiber, and preferably the one or more warp yarns comprises no or essentially no elastomeric fiber. The flame retardant fabric of the invention may comprise one or more weft yarns comprising modacrylic fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyamide fiber, elastomeric fiber and antistatic fiber, suitably it comprises one or more weft yarns comprising modacrylic fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyamide fiber, and elastomeric fiber, and preferably the one or more weft yarns comprises no or essentially no antistatic fiber.

[0031] Examples of flame retardant fabrics of the invention that are woven include twill weaves (2xl, 3xl, etc.), satin weaves (4xl, 5xl, etc.), plain weaves and denim weaves. Preferably, the fabric is a satin weave. Examples of flame retardant fabrics of the invention that are knitted, or knit fabrics, include single and double knits, e.g. jersey, Swiss pique and interlock.

[0032] The flame retardant fabric of the invention exhibits excellent strength properties, including tensile and tear strengths. The tensile strength in the warp direction may be at least 900 N (Newton), or at least 1000 N, or at least 1050 N, and it may be up to 1200 N, or up to 1250 N, and / or the tensile strength in the weft direction may be at least 250 N, or at least 300 N, or at least 350 N, and it is usually up to 450 N, or up to 500 N, as measured according to ISO 13934. The tear strength may be at least 60 N, or at least 70 N, or at least 80 N on the warp side, and / or the tear strength may be at least 60 N, or at least 70 N, or at least 80 N on the weft side, as measured according to ISO13937-1 These values prove the robustness of the flame retardant fabric in a rugged environment.

[0033] Wear or abrasion might initially only influence the appearance, but eventually might lead to the destruction of a fabric. Abrasion resistant fabric withstands surface wear from rubbing, extending the life of an apparel of the fabric and protecting the person who wears it. The flame retardant fabric of the invention exhibits excellent abrasion resistance and can withstand at least 160,000, or at least 180,000, or at least 200,000 abrasion cycles as per ISO 12947. The pilling rating of the flame retardant fabric of the invention may be up to 2-3, or up to 3-4, or up to 4-5 after 5000 cycles as per ISO 12945.

[0034] The flame retardant fabric of the invention may be a flame retardant composite fabric. The term "flame retardant composite fabric", as used herein, refers to composite fabric created via bonding two or more layers of flame retardant fabric together without the use of sewing, stitch-bonding, quilting, or other processes that utilize a stitch or interlace yarn to combine two or more fabric layers. The two or more layers of the flame retardant fabric are suitably woven and / or knitted, preferably a woven fabric.

[0035] The flame retardant fabric of the invention exhibits excellent performance, including FR performance. For example, the fabric qualifies for EN ISO 11612 standards which is a measurement of fabric performance to protect against heat and flame. The fabric passes the requirements with the A1A2B1C1D2E2F1 class. The fabric also fulfils the requirements of EN ISO 11611 certification Class 1, which calculate the performance of fabric for use in welding and allied processes. The fabric also qualifies for EN 61 482-1-1, which is a measurement of the protection against thermal hazard of an electric arc. The EBT values are 9 with an ELIM of 7.2. further, the fabric is certified for EN-13034 and EN-1149-3 standards, which are important certifications for a protective fabric. The fabric is industrially launderable and meet the requirements of ISO 15797 with 75 degrees C temperature wash. Further, the fabric meets the requirements of Oeko-Tex Class-II, thus being tested and certified for harmful substances, and approved for use in direct contact with skin. Finally, the fabric exhibits controlled shrinkages of + / -3% in both warp and weft direction, which means that it is highly stable to washing, and dimensionally stable.

[0036] The present invention further relates to a flame retardant apparel made from the flame retardant fabric of the invention as defined herein. Examples of suitable flame retardant apparels include shirts, jackets, trousers, coveralls, uniforms, including military or industrial applications.

[0037] The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a flame retardant fabric which comprises manufacturing a fabric from 35-55% by weight of modacrylic fiber, 25-45% by weight of cellulosic fiber, 10-25% by weight of polyamide fiber, 0.5-5% by weight of elastomeric fiber, and 0.5-5% by weight of antistatic fiber, wherein the fabric has a basis weight of from 225 to 400 grams per square meter. The method may comprise weaving, knitting or otherwise assembling a fabric from the fibers and amounts defined herein.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises: providing one or more warp yarns comprising modacrylic fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyamide fiber and antistatic fiber, preferably the one or more warp yarns comprise no or essentially no elastomeric fiber, providing one or more weft yarns comprising modacrylic fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyamide fiber and elastomeric fiber, preferably the one or more weft yarns comprise no or essentially no antistatic fiber, weaving the one or more warp yarns and the one or more weft yarns to form a woven fabric, wherein the obtained fabric comprises 35-55% by weight of modacrylic fiber, 25-40% by weight of cellulosic fiber, 10-25% by weight of polyamide fiber, 0.5-5% by weight of elastomeric fiber, and 0.5-5% by weight of antistatic fiber, and wherein the weight of the fabric is from 250 to 350 grams per square meter. The flame retardant fabric may contain the fibers and amounts defined herein.

[0039] The yarns may be formed in conventional ways well known in the art. The yarns may be spun yarns, e.g. air jet spun yarns, and may comprise a single yarn or two or more individual yarns that are twisted, or otherwise combined together. Preferably, the fibers are blended in the spinning stage so as to provide a uniform and homogenous distribution of fibers in the yarn and eventually in the fabric.

[0040] In a typical weaving method according to the invention, the fibers on the face side of the fabric will predominantly comprise the warp yarns and the fibers on the body side of the fabric will predominantly comprise the weft yarn. The fabric may be construed with the warp and weft yarns in a variety of ways, e.g. twill weave (2xl, 3xl, etc.) and satin weave (4xl, 5xl, etc.) constructions, which are well known in the art.

[0041] In a typical knitting method according to the invention, a double knit-circular machine is used. These machines have two needles, a dial needle and a cylinder needle, that work together to form the double-knit fabric. When utilized to make fabrics of the invention, different yarns can be used in each of the dial needle and cylinder needle such that the two yarns become inter-stitched with one yarn predominantly exposed on the one side of the knit fabric and the other yarn predominantly exposed ion the other side of the fabric.

[0042] Dyeing and printing of the fabrics may be carried out in accordance with standard methods, all of which are known in the art.Examples

[0043] The invention is further illustrated in the following examples which, however, are not intended to limit the same. Parts and % relate to parts by weight and % by weight, respectively, and all suspensions are aqueous, unless otherwise stated.Example 1

[0044] This example illustrates the manufacture of a flame retardant fabric according to the invention.

[0045] The flame retardant fabric was manufactured from fibers comprising 45% by weight of modacrylic fiber (Protex), 33% by weight of natural cellulosic fiber (Giza Cotton), 18% by weight of polyamide fiber (Cordura), 3% elastomeric fiber (XLANCE), 1% antistatic fiber (No-Shock, Ascend).

[0046] The fibers for warp and weft yarns were blended in the spinning stage to get a uniform and homogenous distribution of fiber in the fabric. The fibers were spun into yarns using conventional methods well known in the art. The warp yarn consisted of modacrylic fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyamide fiber and antistatic fiber. The weft yarn consisted of modacrylic fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyamide fiber and elastomeric fiber. Both the warp yarn and weft yarn had a thickness of 14S (42 tex), corresponding to around 384 D. A fabric was manufactured by weaving a single warp yarn and a single weft yarn using conventional methods well known in the art. The obtained flame retardant fabric showed the following results and properties: Property Value / Result Analysis Method Yarn count, warp14 S (42 tex)British Yarn CountYarn count, weft14 S (42 tex)British Yarn CountWeave4 / 1 Satin-Basis weight310±5 g / m 2< WeighingAbrasion resistance180,000ISO 12947Pilling, 5000 rotations4ISO 12945Tensile strength, warp1100 NISO 13934Tensile strength, weft400 NISO 13934Tear strength, warp80 NISO 13937-1Tear strength, weft70 NISO 13937-1FR performance, protection against heat and flameYes, approvedEN ISO 11612FR performance, welding and allied processesYes, approvedEN ISO 11611, Certification Class 1FR performance, protection against the thermal hazard of an electric arcYes, EBT values are 9 with an ELIM of 7.2EN 61 482-1-1Protective fabricYes, approvedEN-13034Protective fabricYes, approvedEN-1149-3Industrial launderableYes, tested and approved at 75 degrees C temperature washISO 15797Harmful substancesYes, certified and approved for use in direct contact with skinOeko-Tex Class-ll

[0047] As is evident from the above values and results, the flame retardant fabric of the invention showed excellent properties and performance.

Claims

1. A flame retardant fabric comprising 35-55% by weight of modacrylic fiber, 25-45% by weight of cellulosic fiber, 10-25% by weight of polyamide fiber, wherein the fabric has a basis weight of from 225 to 400 grams per square meter; characterised in that: the flame retardant fabric comprises 0.5-5% by weight of elastomeric fiber, and 0.5-5% by weight of antistatic fiber; and the elastomeric fiber is made from crosslinked polyolefin-based polymers.

2. The flame retardant fabric according to claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises the modacrylic fiber in an amount of from 38% by weight, up to 53% by weight, preferably the modacrylic fiber is an acrylonitrile copolymer.

3. The flame retardant fabric according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the fabric comprises the cellulosic fiber in an amount from 28% by weight, up to 40% by weight, preferably the cellulosic fiber is cotton.

4. The flame retardant fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric comprises the polyamide fiber in an amount of from 13% by weight, up to 23% by weight, preferably the polyamide fiber comprises aromatic groups.

5. The flame retardant fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric comprises the elastomeric fiber in an amount of from 1% by weight, up to 4% by weight.

6. The flame retardant fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric comprises the antistatic fiber in an amount of from 0.75% by weight, up to 4% by weight.

7. The flame retardant fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric has a basis weight of from 250 grams per square meter, up to 375 grams per square meter.

8. The flame retardant fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric is woven, knitted, or a composite fabric having two or more bonded layers of flame retardant fabric, preferably a woven fabric.

9. The flame retardant fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric has anisotropic properties.

10. The flame retardant fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric comprises one or more warp yarns comprising modacrylic fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyamide fiber, and antistatic fibers, preferably the one or more warp yarns comprises no elastomeric fiber.

11. The flame retardant fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric comprises one or more weft yarns comprising modacrylic fiber, cellulosic fiber, polyamide fiber, and elastomeric fiber, preferably the one or more weft yarns comprises no antistatic fiber.

12. The flame retardant fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric has a tensile strength in a warp direction of at least 900 N and / or a tensile strength in a weft direction of at least 250 N, as measured according to ISO 13934; and / or a tear strength of at least 60 N on a warp side, and / or a tear strength of at least 60 N on a weft side, as measured according to ISO13937-1.

13. The flame retardant fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric comprises one or more yarns having a yarn thickness of at least 220 D (242 dtex), or up to 450 D (495 dtex); and / or wherein the fabric contains one or more yarns having a coarseness of at least 12 S (49 tex), or up to 24 S (25 tex).

14. A flame retardant apparel made from a flame retardant fabric according to any one of the claims 1 to 13.

15. A method of manufacturing a flame retardant fabric comprising weaving or knitting the fabric according to any one of the claims 1 to 13.