Silk infused performance apparel and methods of preparing the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, silk performance apparel includes textiles, fabrics, consumer products, leather, and other materials that are coated with aqueous solutions of pure silk fibroin based protein fragments. In some embodiments, coated apparel products, textiles, and upholstery, as well as other materials, exhibit surprisingly improved moisture management properties, resistance to microbial growth, increased abrasion resistance, and flame resistance.

There is provided an impregnated natural fiber including a cuticle and an interior lumen, the cuticle circumscribing the interior lumen; and insoluble particulates possessing a preselected property embedded in the fiber. The particulates comprise at least 0.1-30 wt. % of the impregnated fiber and the particulates are embedded on the cuticle and within the lumen of the fiber. The fiber has an increased strength, micronaire value and rate of water absorption. Also provided is a system for surface treating cellulose sliver fibers. The system includes a vessel containing a moist paste which comprises at least one particulate material possessing one or more preselected desired properties, a thickening agent and water. The paste from the vessel is dispensed directly onto sliver fiber ribbon(s). A bore sonotrode generates ultrasonic waves which embed the particulate material(s) in the sliver fibers.

Fire retardant laminates including a textile layer, a protective layer, and a fire retardant are provided. The protective layer includes a porous membrane and a coating layer. The porous membrane is positioned between the textile layer and the coating layer. The fire retardant includes one or more phosphonate esters of the general formula: ##STR00001##
where n=0 or 1, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, R.sub.3 is H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, and R.sub.4 is a linear or branched alkyl. At least a portion of the phosphonate ester in the fire retardant laminate resides in the coating layer. The fire retardant laminates are suitable for use in protective garments that provide full flammability and burn protection, even after exposure to flammable materials such as petroleum, oils, and lubricants. A method of rendering the fire retardant laminate fire retardant is also provided.

An arc resistant acrylic fiber includes an acrylic polymer. The arc resistant acrylic fiber also includes an infrared absorber in an amount of 1 wt % to 30 wt % with respect to a total weight of the acrylic polymer.

Method for sulphation and phosphorylation of a cellulose substrate for imparting anti-flame properties to the substrate in which at least one phosphonic acid of formula (I):
PO(OH).sub.2—R—PO(OH).sub.2,   (I)
is used as a catalyst of sulphation and a phosphorylating agent and relative substrate.

In order to provide a fabric and a fiber product, which have hygroscopicity and durability as well as flame retardancy, a hydrophilizing agent is added to a fabric containing aramid fibers.

A flame retardant composition containing a phosphorous containing ammonium salt, a crosslinker, and water is provided, and its application to yarn or fabric to provide a flame retardant yarn or fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the yarn or fabric is made from a polyurethane elastomer, such as a spandex. A method to prepare the flame retardant composition and apply it to the fiber or yarn is also provided.

A flame retardant composition containing a phosphorous containing ammonium salt, a crosslinker, and water is provided, and its application to yarn or fabric to provide a flame retardant yarn or fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the yarn or fabric is made from a polyurethane elastomer, such as a spandex. A method to prepare the flame retardant composition and apply it to the fiber or yarn is also provided.

A fabric printable medium, with an image-side and a back-side, including a fabric base substrate; a primary layer containing polymeric binders applied on, at least, one side of the base substrate; and an image-receiving coating layer applied over, at least, one primary layer including a first and a second crosslinked polymeric network. The primary layer includes a flame-retardant dispersion including flame-retardant agents and polymeric dispersants. Also disclosed are the method for making such fabric printable medium and the method for producing printed images using said material.

A flame resistant fabric for the use in the construction of aviation airbags comprises a polyester fiber substrate which is treated with a first flame retardant. A polyurethane coating is applied to the polyester fiber substrate, which has been treated with the first flame retardant, to impart high pressure permeability resistance to the flame resistant fabric. The polyurethane coating comprises a second flame retardant to insure that the flame resistant fabric complies with Federal Aviation Requirement 25.853. The flame resistant fabric further comprises sufficient high pressure permeability resistance which is measured as a pressure of not less than about 198 kPa after five seconds from an initial inflation and pressurization to about 200 kPa, such as may be encountered in and during an inflation of aviation airbag assemblies.