Flame resistant fabrics are provided that exhibit improved protection from molten metal spills, metal splatter, electric arc, and related thermal hazards illustratively including open flame and radiant heat. The flame resistant fabrics are made from a combination of cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic fibers, where the flame resistant fabric forms a char layer that does not become brittle when contacted by molten metal, metal splatter, electric arc, and related thermal hazards. By not becoming brittle the likelihood of break out of the fabric is minimized, thereby improving the level of protection to the user. As a result, the flame resistant fabric retains the desirable properties of fibers formed of organic materials in terms of comfort, weight, and durability.

Fabrics that are exhibit water repellency, abrasion resistance, and optionally flame resistance are described herein. The fabrics include a plurality of fibers (such as flame resistant fibers) and a finish that imparts water repellency and abrasion resistance to the fibers. The fabrics are free or substantially free from alkylfluoropolymers. Also described herein are garments including the fabrics.

Unique blends of fibers that incorporate synthetic cellulosic fibers to render fabrics made with such blends more durable than fabrics made with natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton. While more durable than cotton, the synthetic cellulosic fibers used in the blends are still inexpensive and comfortable to the wearer. Thus, the benefits of cotton (affordability and comfort) are still attained while a drawback of cotton—low durability—is avoided. In one embodiment, the fiber blend includes FR modacrylic fibers and synthetic cellulosic fibers, preferably, but not necessarily non-FR lyocell fibers such as TENCEL™ and TENCEL A100™. Other fibers may be added to the blend, including, but not limited to, additional types of inherently FR fibers, anti-static fibers, anti-microbial fibers, stretch fibers, and/or high tenacity fibers. The fiber blends disclosed herein may be used to form various types of FR fabrics. Desired colors may be imparted in a variety of ways and with a variety of dyes to the fabrics disclosed herein. Fabrics having the fibers blends disclosed herein can be used to construct the entirety of, or various portions of, a variety of protective garments for protecting the wearer against electrical arc flash and flames, including, but not limited to, coveralls, jumpsuits, shirts, jackets, vests, and trousers.

A flame-resistant garment comprising a flame-resistant fabric, and the flame resistant fabric, each comprising a yarn comprising a) 85 to 97 weight percent of a meta-aramid fiber component, and b) 3 to 15 weight percent of a fiber made from para-aramid polymer, based on the total amount of a) and b) in the yarn; wherein the meta-aramid fiber component is: i) 50 to 100 weight percent fiber made from a polymer blend of meta-aramid polymer and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer, the polymer blend comprising 88 to 95 weight percent meta-aramid polymer and 5 to 12 weight percent PVP polymer, and ii) 0 to 50 weight percent fiber made solely from meta-aramid polymer, based on the total amount of i) and ii) in the meta-aramid fiber component.

Fabrics that are exhibit water repellency, abrasion resistance, and optionally flame resistance are described herein. The fabrics include a plurality of fibers (such as flame resistant fibers) and a finish that imparts water repellency and abrasion resistance to the fibers. The fabrics are free or substantially free from alkylfluoropolymers. Also described herein are garments including the fabrics.

Fabrics that are exhibit water repellency, abrasion resistance, and optionally flame resistance are described herein. The fabrics include a plurality of fibers (such as flame resistant fibers) and a finish that imparts water repellency and abrasion resistance to the fibers. The fabrics are free or substantially free from alkylfluoropolymers. Also described herein are garments including the fabrics.

Protective combat clothing (PCC) may include a shirt and trousers, wherein the shirt and the trousers are at least partially made of woven fabric made of a composition of the materials comprising flame-resistant fiber, flame-resistant meta-aramid fiber, heat-resistant fiber, polyimide and anti-static fiber.

The invention addresses the problem of providing a cloth and a protective product, which are excellent not only in flame retardancy but also in protection performance against electric arcs, and can further be provided with any color appearance. As a means for resolution, in a cloth including a flame-retardant fiber, a UV absorber or carbon particles are contained in the cloth, and the cloth is configured to have a lightness index L-value of 25 or more.

The invention addresses the problem of providing a cloth and a protective product, which are excellent not only in flame retardancy but also in protection performance against electric arcs, and can further be provided with any color appearance. As a means for resolution, in a cloth including a flame-retardant fiber, a UV absorber or carbon particles are contained in the cloth, and the cloth is configured to have a lightness index L-value of 25 or more.

Flame resistant fabrics formed with a combination of body yarns and stretch yarns that exhibit excellent physical and thermal properties. The body yarns are formed at least in part with flame resistant materials. The stretch yarns are corespun yarns having an elastic core surrounded by a fiber sheath formed at least in part with flame resistant materials. The fiber sheath protects the elastic core from direct exposure to heat and flame that would otherwise cause the core to degrade or melt.