Flame Resistant Fabric Using Fire Retardant Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flame-resistant fabrics face limitations in incorporating substantial amounts of non-inherently flame-resistant synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, which tend to burn, drip, and melt when exposed to flames, while also lacking desirable properties such as strength, durability, and breathability.
Innovation Solution
Development of thermal protective fabrics with a multi-layered construction treated with a fire retardant composition, allowing for high percentages of non-inherently flame-resistant synthetic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, to achieve excellent flame-resistant properties without compromising weight, durability, and environmental protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If non-inherently flame-resistant synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon) are used in flame-resistant fabrics, then weight, durability, and breathability are improved, but flame resistance deteriorates as these fibers burn, drip, and melt when exposed to flames
Solution Approach 1:
A flame-retardant composition is applied as an intermediary substance to the synthetic fiber fabric. This composition acts as a mediator that prevents the harmful burning, dripping, and melting effects of synthetic fibers when exposed to flames, while maintaining the fabric's inherent durability and breathability properties
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical composition of the fabric surface is changed by applying a flame-retardant treatment. This treatment modifies the parameters of the synthetic fibers to resist combustion, allowing the fabric to maintain both the durability of synthetic fibers and the flame resistance required for protective clothing
2Object-affected harmful factors
If aramid fibers are used exclusively to achieve flame resistance, then flame resistant properties are improved, but cost increases and availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flame resistance parameter is achieved through a different mechanism - applying a flame-retardant composition to synthetic fibers rather than relying on the inherent properties of expensive aramid fibers. This changes the approach from material selection to surface treatment, reducing cost and improving availability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using expensive aramid fibers, the invention uses cheaper synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon) that are treated with a flame-retardant composition. This substitutes costly inherently flame-resistant materials with more economical treated materials that achieve the same protective effect
3Object-affected harmful factors
If aramid fibers are used exclusively, then flame resistance is improved, but dyeability and printing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric base is changed from aramid to synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon) which have superior dyeability and printing capability. The flame resistance parameter is then achieved through surface treatment with a flame-retardant composition, allowing both aesthetic customization and protective functionality
4Weight of moving object
If synthetic fibers are used in flame-resistant fabrics, then weight and durability are improved, but flame resistance deteriorates due to burning and melting
Solution Approach 1:
A flame-retardant composition is applied as a protective intermediary layer on the synthetic fiber fabric. This mediator prevents the synthetic fibers from burning, dripping, and melting when exposed to flames, allowing the fabric to maintain its lightweight properties while achieving the required flame resistance for protective clothing
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 treated fabrics demonstrate reduced char length, after-flame time, and afterglow, providing protection equivalent to inherently flame-resistant fabrics, with less than 20% predicted body burn when exposed to a flash fire, and perform well in ASTM tests like F1930 and F2703, ensuring effective burn injury prevention.
Implementation Method 1
the fabric substrate is treated with a fire retardant composition... The treated fabrics demonstrate reduced char length, after-flame time, and afterglow, providing protection equivalent to inherently flame-resistant fabrics
Data Source
AI summary
Thermal protective fabrics and garments are disclosed made from fabrics treated with a fire retardant composition. In one embodiment, the fabrics include a multi-layered construction or a multi-face construction that are treated with the fire retardant composition.