Effects of oily contamination and decontamination on the flame resistance of thermal protective textiles

Abstract

This paper reports an experimental study wherein flame resistance and limiting oxygen index of protective fabrics were determined before and after contamination with oil and after decontamination. Experimental variables were presence of contamination, laundry treatment, number of contamination/decontamination cycles, and fabric type. Although laundering with pre‐wash products alone was the most effective in removing oil, some product residues may have contributed to the increased flammability of some fabrics. Thus, use of that product was truly effective only if combined with detergent. For two fabrics higher flammability was noted after five contamination/decontamination cycles than after one. Of the three fabrics studied, aramid specimens retained the least oil, and although they had the highest flammability both before and after contamination, it increased the least with contamination. The FR cotton/nylon fabric retained the most oil after decontamination, but had better flame resistance than aramid. Much of the oil remained in the interior of cotton fibres making it difficult to remove but also less accessible for vaporization and combustion. For the aramid/FR viscose, energy from combustion of residual oil activated the FR additive, thereby reducing apparent fabric flammability, but this FR transference effect occurred only up to an optimum quantity of oil. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Characterization of the Combustion Process of Flame Resistant Thermal Protective Textiles in the Presence of Oily Contaminants: Effects of Contamination and Decontamination

“…For aramid/FR viscose in this study, the drop in HRR from PHRR until it reaches a plateau was considerably slower than the rise in HRR with time from ignition until reaching PHRR, regardless of the treatment or number of cycles (Figure 9; [13]). This was also observed for uncontaminated and contaminated specimens (Figures 7 and 8).…”

“…HRR curves for other treatments [13] are not shown here since their shapes are similar except for peaks. In each, all fabrics showed a rapid rise in HRR, from ignition until reaching PHRR, and a rapid drop in HRR from PHRR until the HRR reaches a plateau.…”

Effects of ageing on the fire behaviour of flame-retarded polymers: a review

“…Organic liquids can be detrimental even if they remain at the surface of a material (without diffusing into the bulk). The influence of oily contamination on the flame retardancy of various fabrics was comprehensively studied by Mettananda and co‐workers . Oily contamination concerns mainly workers in the energy, fire‐fighting and military sectors.…”

Assessment of Factors Affecting the Continuing Performance of Firefighters’ Protective Clothing: A Literature Review

“…Mettananda [49] assessed the impact of decontamination on the flammability of treated and inherently flame resistant fabrics by measuring three parameters: damaged length, afterflame time, and Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI). She examined three types of flame resistant fabrics: meta-aramid, a blend of aramid and flame resistant viscose, and a blend of flame resistant cotton and nylon.…”