Fire-Resistant Textile with Carbon Black Para-Aramid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Firefighter turnout gear outer shells with high para-aramid content suffer significant color change and strength loss after washing and UV exposure, leading to reduced durability and aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

A woven fire-resistant fabric blend of solution-dyed meta-aramid and para-aramid fibers with a co-polymer of diphenylether and para-phenylenediamine-terephthaloyldichloride, containing greater than 1.0% carbon black by weight, is used to maintain color stability and strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high para-aramid content (60%) is used in outer shell for thermal protection and strength, then protection level and durability are improved, but color stability and strength retention after UV exposure and washing deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection levelVSAvoidcolor stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the para-aramid fiber by incorporating a co-polymer of diphenylether and para-phenylenediamine-terephthaloyldichloride, and adjusts the carbon black loading to greater than 1.0% by weight. These parameter changes enable the fiber to maintain both high protection levels and improved color stability after UV exposure and washing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material approach by combining para-aramid fibers with specific co-polymer composition and carbon black additive into a blended yarn system with meta-aramid fibers. This composite structure provides both the thermal protection/strength of para-aramid and the color stability from the modified fiber composition and carbon black UV absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If high para-aramid content (60%) is used in outer shell, then strength and durability are improved, but strength retention after UV exposure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidstrength retention after UV exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the para-aramid fiber composition by incorporating the co-polymer of diphenylether and para-phenylenediamine-terephthaloyldichloride and increasing carbon black loading to greater than 1.0% by weight. These compositional parameter changes enhance UV resistance while maintaining the high strength characteristics necessary for firefighter protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The fabric retains its deep black color and strength after repeated launderings and UV exposure, extending the fabric's lifetime and maintaining protection levels.

Implementation Method 1

the para-aramid fibers have a carbon black loading of greater than 1.0% by weight of the para-aramid fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

At least a portion of the warp or weft yarns comprise a blend of solution dyed meta-aramid fibers and solution dyed para-aramid fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColor fastness:

Data Source

PatentUS12146244B1Fire-resistant textile
Publication Date: 2024.11.19 MILLIKEN & CO

AI summary

A woven fire-resistant fabric that contains a plurality of warp yarns in the warp direction of the woven fire-resistant fabric and a plurality of weft yarns in the weft direction of the woven fire-resistant fabric. The warp direction and weft direction are approximately perpendicular. At least a portion of the warp or weft yarns comprise a blend of solution dyed meta-aramid fibers and solution dyed para-aramid fibers. The para-aramid fibers contain a co-polymer being poly (diphenylether-co-para-phenylenediamine-terephthaloyldichloride) and the para-aramid fibers have a carbon black loading of greater than 1.0% by weight of the para-aramid fibers.