Resistance of Fire Protective Fabrics to Repeated Launderings

Dolez, Patricia I.; Malajati, Yassine

doi:10.1520/stp162420190079

Cited by 8 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…In one of them, seven fabrics corresponding to different fiber blends used in fire-protective clothing were subjected to up to 50 washing and drying cycles per the NFPA 1971 washing/ drying sample preparation procedure. 55 The authors reported a reduction of up to 66% in the tear strength of the fabrics after 50 washing and drying cycles. This decrease in the fabrics' tear strength varied with their fiber content.…”

Section: Exposure To Launderingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…54 In comparison with para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers are less prone to hydrolysis. 55 The flexible structure of the meta-aramid molecule allows a closer packing that restricts the penetration of water molecules in its fine structure. 65 Metaaramid-dominated fire-protective fabrics have also been found to resist well to repeated launderings.…”

Section: Aging Of Meta-aramid Fibersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…65 Metaaramid-dominated fire-protective fabrics have also been found to resist well to repeated launderings. Dolez & Malajati 55 subjected a 100% meta-aramid fabric to 50 washing/drying cycles. The fabric did not exhibit any loss in tearing force, even after 50 washing/drying cycles.…”

Section: Aging Of Meta-aramid Fibersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Contrary to para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers have a low sensitivity to hydrolytic aging despite having a very similar chemical structure. 54,55 This may be due to the higher flexibility of the meta-aramid polymer chain which allows a tighter packing and restricts water penetration. 65 Consequently, this fiber resists well exposure to atmospheric moisture, water immersion, and laundering.…”

Section: The Hill Equationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Aging of high‐performance fibers used in firefighters' protective clothing: State of the knowledge and path forward

Hoque

Dolez

2023

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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High-performance fibers developed since the 1960s have a wide range of applications including firefighters' protective clothing. Firefighters' protective clothing made of inherently flame-resistant high-performance fibers offers excellent protection in the new condition. However, these fibers experience aging as any polymer material. The situation is amplified due to the severe conditions associated with the firefighters' activities. And the consequences of a loss in the performance of the protective clothing can be dramatic for the firefighter's safety. This article provides a comprehensively review of the aging behavior of high-performance fibers used in firefighters' protective clothing. Residual performance data have been identified both for used firefighter garments as well as fabric specimens subjected to accelerated aging. Research shows that different aging conditions affect the different fibers to a different degree. The specific conditions in which the aging is applied also affects the outcome in terms of loss in performance. Techniques successfully used to quantify the effect of aging on the performance of fire-resistant fabrics are also briefly mentioned.Finally, the knowledge gained from this analysis of the literature as well as research gaps and further areas of investigation are discussed in this neglected yet critical topic of firefighters' protective clothing aging.

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Section: Exposure To Launderingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Aging Of Meta-aramid Fibersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Aging Of Meta-aramid Fibersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Hill Equationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Aging of high‐performance fibers used in firefighters' protective clothing: State of the knowledge and path forward

Hoque

Dolez

2023

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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“…Even though the thermal protection performance did not differ significantly from that of the control sample, the SEM photographs clearly demonstrated surface damage. 24 Other factors, such as weathering, 25 laundering, 26 hot laundering, 27 dry cleaning, 28 and abrasion 29 were also found to affect the durability of FPC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of repeated radiative heat exposure on protective performance of firefighter’s protective clothing

Rathour

Das

Alagirusamy

2022

Journal of Industrial Textiles

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Firefighters rely heavily on their firefighter’s protective clothing (FPC) for their safety. The effectiveness of an appropriately engineered turnout suit decreases over time when repeatedly exposed to radiative heat and flame. A measure of durability is the radiative protective performance (RPP) rating, which is influenced by properties like thickness, surface area, and areal density (mass per unit area) of outer shell fabric in multilayered ensembles. Four independent variables were considered: fabric material, pick density, exposure cycles and heat flux intensity. In addition to RPP, changes in the thickness, shrinkage, and mass loss was also tracked. An evaluation of properties was conducted at the end of each cycle to determine the effects of the heat flux (21, 42 and 63 kW/m2), number of exposure cycles (from one to five) and effects of each attribute. Two types of fabrics were used in this study, one made with meta aramid (Nomex® IIIA) yarns in both warp and weft (type-A fabric), and the other made with Nomex® IIIA (warp) and para aramid (Kevlar®) (weft) (type-B fabric). Type-A fabrics displayed a greater degree of differentiation in their properties than type-B fabrics. With the same exposure conditions, the thickness, shrinkage, mass loss and RPP gradually increased. A regression analysis conclusively established that pick density significantly affects the performance of the outer-shell fabric used in FPCs. Textile designers may find the results useful for creating more thermo-stable and durable turnout suits in the future.

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Thermal aging of high‐performance fabrics used in the outer shell of firefighters' protective clothing

Hoque,

Dolez

2024

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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High‐performance fibers are known for their exceptional specific strength and resistance to various hazardous conditions, including fire. However, the long‐term performance of these fibers when exposed to convective heat has rarely been reported. This study investigated the accelerated thermal aging behavior of three high‐performance fabrics of different blends of inherently flame‐resistant high‐performance fibers: copolymer of aramids (Technora®)/polybenzoxazole (PBO); para‐aramid/meta‐aramid; and para‐aramid/polybenzimidazole (PBI). Fabric specimens were thermally aged for up to 1200 h at temperatures ranging from 90 to 320°C. While all three fabrics experienced losses in the breaking force, the Technora®/PBO fabric displayed the best strength retention, despite the complete disappearance of the Technora® fiber crystallinity after aging at 320°C for 1200 h. The para‐aramid/PBI blended fabric showed signs of competing aging processes at high temperatures. An increase in the fabrics' crystallinity and evidence of chain scission were observed after thermal aging. Additionally, degradation in the fabric's water‐repellent finish was observed. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of more durable and safer protective gear, particularly for high‐risk activities like firefighting.

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Resistance of Fire Protective Fabrics to Repeated Launderings

Cited by 8 publications

References 25 publications

Aging of high‐performance fibers used in firefighters' protective clothing: State of the knowledge and path forward

Aging of high‐performance fibers used in firefighters' protective clothing: State of the knowledge and path forward

Impact of repeated radiative heat exposure on protective performance of firefighter’s protective clothing

Thermal aging of high‐performance fabrics used in the outer shell of firefighters' protective clothing

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