Despite the increasing safety requirements at production facilities, it is not yet possible to completely eliminate the risk of fire by fire in the workplace. Therefore, the relevance of personal protective equipment against flames, which, by the way, are used in other areas besides industrial, also remains. The introduction of new technologies allows us to improve the quality of materials for workwear. In addition, modern refractory fabric is able to provide not only thermal safety, but also protection from other dangerous influences.
What threats does the refractory fabric protect against?
Specialized fabrics with fire retardant properties, which would focus only on providing a barrier to the flame, are becoming less common on the market. But, despite the increasing popularity of multi-protective materials, experts consider the most promising development of formulations designed for specific properties. In particular, fabrics for overalls at metallurgical enterprises are guided by ensuring safety from thermal influences, an open flame, and also from splashes of hot metal. From other dangers protect materials manufactured for workers involved in electrical activities. In this case, protection against electric current is also important. As an additional function, it is worth noting the resistance to mechanical stress. Along with this, technologists strive to increase the wear resistance and strength of textiles.
Key Features of Refractory Fabrics
Almost every manufacturer of workwear makes materials using their own technologies, forming unique compositions and, accordingly, technical qualities. One of the most important indicators of the effectiveness of such tissues is the oxygen index (CI), which is on average 30-32. Significant indicators of heat resistance, which determine the ability of the material to maintain the structure under the influence of a flame. Experts have an ambiguous approach to estimating the density of overalls of this type. Typically, heat-resistant materials have a density in the range of 170-350 g / m 2 . The higher this value, the more effective the mechanical and thermal protection. But this rule does not always apply. The best compounds have a low density, but retain optimal protective qualities. The decrease in this indicator is due to the desire to provide convenience in the work process, since high density increases the mass of clothes, fettering the user.
What does refractory fabric consist of?
The specific composition of the material depends on the manufacturing technology of the final product. For example, 100% cotton can be used as a base, which is then impregnated or coated with protective compounds. To prevent the fabric from burning, many manufacturers also use chemical inhibitors of this process, but this component can be harmful to the health of the wearer. More effective and technologically advanced paintings are initially formed by compositions with the required characteristics. Their structure is usually formed by fire-resistant fiber with constant performance. For example, the use of heat-resistant viscose can not only protect the user from the flame, but also helps to regulate the microclimate under clothes. Particular attention is paid to external protection, which is used as fluorocarbon finish, and fiberglass, as well as other protective components.
Flame retardant treatment
For external processing, various materials are used, including silicone coatings, fiberglass fabric and metallized spraying. As for the silicone treatment, it effectively protects during welding due to flexible insulation. Glass fiber fabric, which usually has a double-sided coating in the form of a polyurethane aluminized layer, also shows itself well. The features of this technology include the inclusion of steel wire by the method of reinforcement. The result is a flame retardant fabric with flame protection and yet high mechanical resistance. An alternative to this treatment is a fiberglass base treated with aluminum foil. As a rule, the application is made on the one hand, which, however, does not lower the technical and operational qualities of the material. Such canvases are used both as part of workwear and for thermal insulation of pipelines.
Refractory fabric impregnation
Usually, technologies are applied as impregnations that allow metallizing the fabric in order to protect it from thermal effects. Nowadays, a semi-carbon vacuum treatment is used, which protects the worker not only from an open flame, but also from melts of various metals. This is due to the appointment of paintings. Typically, a fabric impregnated with a refractory composition is used in the metallurgical industry. It is noteworthy that the methods of metallization of fabrics due to aluminum have been used for decades. But modern technology allows you to create highly efficient and easy to use canvas. According to reviews, overalls with metallic impregnation are characterized by a soft structure, lightness and elasticity.
Multi-protective fabrics
As already mentioned, truly high-quality material with protective functions can be obtained only with an orientation to a certain range of threats. Despite this, there is a significant demand specifically for universal materials, which include refractory fabric with multi-protection. First of all, clothing made from such textiles protects the worker from all types of thermal effects in various industries. Manufacturers also strive to give materials resistance to chemical and mechanical stress. Among the additional qualities of multi-protective fabrics, neutrality to ultraviolet, the durability of the signal shade and the function of thermoregulation can be noted.
Features of aramid tissues
Aramid fibers have formed a whole group of tissues that have fairly high technical and operational properties. Based on synthetic polyamide, technologists are developing structures for high-strength and heat-resistant fabrics. Moreover, these qualities do not mix, but go in parallel in different products, depending on the fibers used. Another thing is that a workwear kit can include both materials. At the moment, the production of aramid fabrics allows us to provide the consumer with fibers that are not inferior in strength to steel sheets. This material is marketed under the Kevlar brand. But it is important to consider that such products have a significant drawback - they do not tolerate direct exposure to sunlight and are subject to photodegradation processes. Heat-resistant aramid fabrics capable of withstanding temperatures of about 400 ° C also show decent qualities.
Where is flame retardant fabric used?
The range of applications for such materials is practically unlimited - everywhere where protection against fire is required, fire-resistant fabrics find their place. Of course, the most relevant issues for manufacturers are personal protection issues. These are areas in which the safety of workers in contact with hazardous objects and materials in terms of thermal impact is required. Recently, refractory fabric has also spread, which can be used as a finishing material. Along with the primary function of flame protection, such textiles also provide a decorative effect, allowing you to preserve the stylistic advantages of the interior.
Conclusion
Providing protection against thermal burns today is not particularly difficult, from the point of view of implementation. The market is oversaturated with offers of various properties, allowing you to choose the right material for both domestic use and industrial facilities. At the same time, refractory fibers and fabrics for workwear differ in different qualities that go beyond thermal protection alone. Manufacturers produce combined textile materials designed for specific industries. Multifunctional fabrics that can be used as a protective agent against a wide range of threats - from direct fire to chemicals, are also gaining popularity.