What fabric is most fire-resistant?

What Are the Most Flame Resistant Fabrics? Posted by Taylor Gowland on January 27, 2022

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FR stands for fire resistance and is an integral part of creating safe materials for workers in various work environments. There are different variants of flame-resistant clothing available in today's market. The fabric best for your industry will depend on the required safety measures needed to keep employees safe in your workspace. 

What Types of Fabrics are Used in FR Clothing?

FR garments are critical for protecting individuals working in environments prone to fire hazards. Different types of fabrics show different resistivity levels when exposed to thermal energy. Materials with high resistivity even under significant exposure to thermal energy are ideal for FR apparel. The most common types of FR fabric include aramids, coated nylon, FR cotton, Nomex, modacrylic, and PBI.

Fire Resistant vs. Flame Retardant

While there is some overlap, it is essential to distinguish between fire-resistant and flame-retardant materials. These differences will impact what type of FR or FRC cloth you should purchase.

Fire-resistant apparel is typically made of synthetic fibers that resist ignition under prolonged exposure to heat. Instead of burning, FR apparel will eventually begin to melt. Tolerance to heat will vary depending on your FR clothing company manufacturer.

FRC workwear will significantly depend on the number of chemicals used to treat the fabric. Flame-resistant cloths are standard fabrics that are treated with a flame-retardant coating. The FRC gear will still burn but much slower than untreated fabrics.

Which Fabrics are the Most Flame Resistant?

While no fabric is entirely fireproof, certain textiles resist fire better than other fabrics. Fire-resistant garments are typically made resistant because of their natural fire weave or treatment. Wool is considered the most flame-resistant natural fiber because of its difficulty in igniting compared to other natural fibers. Acrylic, polyester, and nylon resist much higher temperatures than natural fibers and can be treated to make fire-resistant workwear.

Aramids are synthetic fiber properties that enjoy heat resistance, resistance to abrasion, high tensile strength, and resistance to solvents and chemical oils. These properties make Aramids perfect for making fire-resistant fabric for clothing. Kevlar and Nomex are robust and heat-resistant aramid fibers.

These fabrics are known for their uses in body armor and bulletproof vests. More than any other type of fabric, aramid material is the most fire-resistant and, therefore, the most common for safety apparel.

FR and FRC garments can be purchased from a variety of suppliers. It is commonplace for businesses to buy flame-resistant uniforms. Custom fire-resistant clothing can be purchased online through a retailer. You can also buy individual fire- and flame-resistant garments at outdoor and manual labor stores like Home Depot and C-A-L Ranch. No matter your profession, there is a style, weight, and brand available that will suit your needs and budget for better protection. If you want to purchase affordable FR and FRC clothing ASAP, give us a shot.

Among all hazards related to fire, fabrics and clothing are the most prone to burning as they’re the first ones to catch fire. Due to this reason, most of the clothing and fabrics we purchase for furniture meet certain flame-resistant requirements. But for certain people that work in hazardous environments, especially those that work for utility services, flame-retardant clothing with high levels of flame-retardant capabilities is imperative.  

FR clothing keeps them safe from fire, sparks, and other hazards that are part and parcel of their job. There are varying types of fire retardant fabrics such as Kevlar, indura, PBI, cotton, and other materials. These materials are designed to be resistant to fire damage and heat and prevent clothing from melting. 

What Are Flame Retardant Fabrics?

A flame retardant fabric is a special kind of fabric that limits the spread of fire, reduces the damage from fire and heat, protects the wearer from fire exposure, and self-extinguishes when the person wearing it is at a safe distance from the heat source. The flame-resistant fabrics come from their special composition, which includes materials that are naturally resistant to flames. 

6 Types Of Flame Retardant Fabrics

There are varying types of FR fabrics. Some offer great protection against fire and flames, while some offer less resistance. It’s always best to compare and choose the best quality flame retardant clothing for the utmost protection. 

Following are some common types of flame retardant fabrics. 

Nomex

This fire-resistant material is the oldest line of FR fabrics that’s been used since the 1960s. DuPont, the American multinational chemical company, trademarked and developed this type of FR fabric for race car drivers because of the fiery crashes that often happen in races. Nomex is a fabric that is quite similar to nylon. 

Nomex is a breathable, durable, and comfortable fabric to wear and has been effective at resisting fire damage for many years. Nomex is often used by firefighter hoods that are used to cover the head, neck, and face, which aren’t covered by the mask and the helmet. These hoods not only protect the firefighters from flames from fires but also from intense heat exposure. 

Kevlar

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Kevlar is among the most commonly used fire-resistant fabrics that are famous for its durability and protection. Kevlar is related to Nomex, and DuPont also developed it. It is thinner and lighter compared to most Nomex fabrics. This makes it a common and effective choice for protection against heat.

Kevlar is a popular and widely used fabric for making bulletproof vests, but it also has various other uses. Kevlar’s most useful quality is that it can retain its tensile strength in extreme heat and extreme cold.

This makes Kevlar an excellent fabric for people who are looking for flame-retardant garments that are comfortable enough for the person to move freely in without any extra padding and additional weight. 

Indura

Indura cotton is considered the best-selling fabric for flame-retardant clothing. Indura is 100% cotton and provides durable flame-retardant clothing that also is washable.

Indura cotton is treated with fire retardant polymers which gives the garment efficient protection against heat and fire that many professionals working in utility jobs need.  

PBI

PBI is an organic fiber that is very effective for fire resistance. It is a great choice for firefighters and professionals like utility workers who work around the fire and where electrical hazards are commonplace.

This fiber has a gold coloring that blends well with other fibers to create a premium fabric that is lightweight, durable, and efficient at resisting fire and intense heat. It is also slightly more expensive compared to other flame-retardant fabrics. 

Cotton

Cotton is a commonly known material famous for its lightweight, cost-effective, and breathable fabric. The thicker the cotton, the more comfortable and high-quality the fabric. Cotton is known to provide better durability throughout its lifespan as a flame-retardant garment. 

A garment made with flame-retardant cotton can give you good protection against heat as well as fire exposure. Another good thing is that cotton will be cheaper and will provide comfort as well when it comes to sparks and other hazards. Cotton, though effective and comfortable, still doesn’t provide enough protection for all welding options. Some jobs require more durable garments that are capable of handling intense heat, sparks, and spatter. 

Levitex

LEVITEX Flame Retardant fabrics are used to make clothing that protects workers from serious injury when struck by arcs, flames, or molten metal. These self-extinguishing fabrics will not continue burning after the heat source has been removed and don’t melt even if exposed to high temperatures.

LEVITEX can combine different functions such as oil-resistant, water-repellency, acid and alkali-resistant, antistatic, moisture-wicking, water-pressure-resistant, anti-mosquito, and Teflon on the same flame-resistant fabric.

Difference Between Inherent Flame Retardant Fabrics And Treated Flame Retardant Fabrics

Inherent flame retardant fabrics are fabrics that are made from fibers that have a natural resistance to flames. This means there wouldn’t be any need for these fabrics to go through any additional treatment to become flame retardant. And as these fabrics are naturally flame resistant, they will remain resistant to flames throughout their life without wearing off. 

Flame retardant fabrics that are treated are dipped or sprayed with chemicals that are flame resistant. This treatment makes the fabric flame-resistant, but its resistance to flames isn’t permanent. Treated flame retardant fabrics can wear off, and their protection against flames can decrease in effectiveness over time. This is possible after they’ve been washed a couple of times, used on a regular basis, or exposed to certain elements that have damaged their protective finish.

bottom line

For professionals that deal with fire on a daily basis, such as utility workers or firefighters, any degree of flame retardant fabrics can work. There are various fabrics to choose from. Some are naturally flame retardant, while others are treated to be flame retardant. So be mindful of your choice!

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