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

• Published in: Fire and materials 2011-08, Vol.35 (5), p.329-342
• Main Authors: Mettananda, Chathuri V. R., Crown, Elizabeth M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; aramid; Building technical equipments; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Exact sciences and technology; Fire behavior of materials and structures; Fire protection; flame resistance; FR cotton/nylon; FR viscose; laundering; LOI; oily contaminants
• ISSN: 0308-0501; 1099-1018; 1099-1018
• DOI: 10.1002/fam.1056

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.