5 Types of Fabric Used in Flame-Resistant Clothing

Fire-resistant clothing (FRC) is a crucial element of workplace safety for your employees. It helps protect them against burns, extreme temperatures, and various hazards. These types of workwear are crafted from a range of fabrics, each with distinct attributes regarding cost, fire resistance, and durability. Understanding these differences is crucial when selecting the right FR clothing for your team. Here’s a closer look at five common types of fabric used in flame-resistant uniforms for employees.

1. Aramid fiber

Aramid fiber is a synthetic fiber known for its enhanced tensile strength. However, it also contains heat-resistant properties, such as its high melting point, making it a popular option for flame-resistant clothing.

Nomex® is a well-known type of aramid fiber manufactured by DuPont. Its unique chemical structure offers excellent rigidity and durability alongside its heat resistance and thermal stability. Kevlar® is another aramid fiber with high tensile strength. Known for its use in protective gear, such as bulletproof vests, Kevlar® may also be combined with Nomex® to improve the strength and cut resistance of FR clothing. This combination ensures superior protection in high-risk environments.

2. Modacrylic

Modified acrylic, or modacrylic for short, is a type of flame-resistant material similar to acrylics found in everyday clothing and bedding products. However, regular acrylic is combustible and meltable. For modacrylic, the manufacturer combines the acrylonitrile found in acrylics with flame-retardant substances. The flame-retardant compounds cause the fiber to self-extinguish if flames start on the clothing. As a result, modacrylic may work well in environments where heat and fire exposure are common.

3. Polybenzimidazole (PBI)

Polybenzimidazole, or PBI, is a synthetic fiber that stands out for the exceptionally high temperatures it can withstand and the fact that it doesn’t ignite or melt.¹ It also offers good resistance to various chemicals. This makes it an excellent fiber for uniforms and workwear in industries and roles like firefighting, aerospace, oil and gas, and even automotive racing. All that said, PBI is one of the costlier materials for FR clothing. It may be combined with other materials to blend durability and flame resistance at a reasonable cost.

4. FR Rayon

Rayon is a semi-synthetic, cellulose-based fabric known for its softness and natural feel. However, it can be made flame-resistant through specialized chemical treatment without compromising much of the rayon’s traditional qualities. FR Rayon tends to be less durable in terms of physical damage despite its heat resistance. This may suit it for environments with fewer physical threats that still contain risks of heat exposure yet also require comfort. For example, FR Rayon can work well for utility work, chemical processing, and in-office spaces that may contain small fire risks (such as at a manufacturing plant).

5. Oxidized polyacrylonitrile fiber (OPAN)

Polyacrylonitrile Fiber, or PAN Fiber, is a synthetic fiber used for most carbon fiber products. A process called oxidation stabilization turns this fiber into Oxidized Polyacrylonitrile Fiber (OPAN), making the material resistant to combustion, burns, and melting. It offers some of the best flame resistance on the market but comes at a higher cost than many other FRC materials. It also tends to be heavier and less comfortable than materials like FR Rayon. This makes workwear made of Oxidized Polyacrylonitrile Fiber a good potential option for industries or roles where safety is a top priority at the expense of comfort, such as for firefighting or in foundries.

The bottom line

Selecting the right FRC fabric is critical for helping to protect your employees while maximizing comfort and durability based on their role. Aramid fibers, modacrylic, PBI, FR Rayon, and OPAN fibers each bring unique advantages tailored to different safety needs and industry requirements. . Some offer moderate fire protection in exchange for added comfort, whereas others are rougher but superior in resisting flames and other threats. By knowing about each fabric type, you can invest in the right workwear that balances safety and your industry’s needs.

Source:

¹ ChemEurope.com – Polybenzimidazole fiber. https://www.chemeurope.com/en/encyclopedia/Polybenzimidazole_fiber.html

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