EP1827151A1

EP1827151A1 - Multilayer material for heat protective garments

Info

Publication number: EP1827151A1
Application number: EP05826581A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laurent Thiriot
Original assignee: Kermel SNC
Current assignee: Kermel SNC
Priority date: 2004-12-20
Filing date: 2005-12-16
Publication date: 2007-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-16
Also published as: US20080095998A1; CA2591218A1; ATE479344T1; FR2879408A1; JP2008524467A; DE602005023340D1; ES2351610T3; JP5090178B2; EP1827151B1; WO2006067316A1; CA2591218C; FR2879408B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multilayer material for the production of protective clothing, in particular for firefighters, comprising, from the exterior toward the interior: a double-layer exterior fabric comprised of an exterior side and an interior side; optionally a membrane support; a waterproof/breathable membrane; optionally a thermal barrier; an interior lining. Characteristically, the exterior fabric has a weight equal to or greater than 285 g/m<SUP>2 </SUP>and the ratio between the weight per square meter of the layers located in front of the membrane and that of the layers located behind the membrane is greater than or equal to 1.8.

Description

MULTILAYER MATERIAL FOR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

AGAINST HEAT

The present invention relates generally to the field of multilayer textile materials used for the production of protective clothing against heat and fire, especially for firefighters.

The invention relates in particular to a multilayer material having as outer fabric a double fabric fabric whose weight is greater than or equal to 285 g / m ² .

Clothing for protection against heat and fire must meet a number of criteria, including:

- protection against radiant heat and against convective heat;

good thermal stability of the constituent materials;

- non-flammability;

- good impermeability; - breathability;

- great freedom of movement.

To date firefighter intervention clothing is used multilayer structures generally weighing between 500 g / m ² and 700 g / m ^2, which generally consist of four or five layers, for example a such structure consists of the superposition of the following layers:

an outer fabric (first layer) conventionally weighing between 200 and 250 g / m ² ;

a waterproof-breathable membrane (second layer) at 50 g / m ² , generally associated with a substrate (third layer) at 100 g / m ² placed between the membrane and the outer fabric;

a thermal barrier (fourth layer) generally consisting of a needle felt of 100 to 200 g / m ² ;

- a finishing liner (fifth layer) at about 130 g / m ² . For this type of material, the weight of the layers in front of the membrane is between 300 and 350 g / m ² , that of the layers located behind the membrane being between 230 and 330 g / m ² . It is considered that a layer is located in front of the membrane, when it is on the outside of the garment worn by the user relative to said membrane and conversely that a layer is located behind the membrane when it is on the inner side of the membrane. clothing worn by the user with respect to the membrane. Thus, the weight ratio between the layers in front of the membrane and the layers behind the membrane is in the range of 0.9 to 1.6.

However, the applicant has demonstrated, and it is one of the merits of the invention, that, surprisingly, for a multilayer material having a given weight per square meter, the fact of putting a greater weight load before the membrane, especially by the use of a heavier outer fabric, and thus increase the ratio between the weight of the layers located in front of the membrane and that of the layers located behind the membrane makes it possible to improve the resistance of such multilayer materials to high temperatures, and thus the protection of firefighters during fire interventions.

The present invention aims to provide a multilayer material with improved thermal properties used for the production of protective clothing, including firefighters. The present invention relates to a multilayer material for the production of protective clothing, especially for firefighters, comprising, from the outside to the inside:

an outer double-fabric fabric comprising an outer face and an inner face, optionally a membrane support;

- a breathable membrane;

- optionally a thermal barrier;

- a finishing liner, said material being characterized in that the outer fabric has a weight greater than or equal to 285 g / m ² and in that the ratio between the weight per square meter of layers in front of the membrane and that of the layers behind the membrane is greater than 1.8, preferably between 3 and 4.

In addition, other technical solutions recommend increasing the thermal insulation capacity of protective clothing by using structures that can trap air. This choice responds in particular to the constant concern to improve the insulating properties without reducing breathability or freedom of movement and especially without increasing the total weight of the garment.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a multilayer material as described above characterized in that:

said outer face is made of son or thermo-reactive fibers;

said inner face comprises yarns or fibers that are stable under the effect of heat, possibly alternating with thermo-reactive yarns or fibers.

Preferably, the outer and inner faces are linked by intermittent bonding.

Advantageously, the retraction of said outer face under the effect of heat takes place in the warp direction.

In an alternative embodiment, said son or thermo-reactive fibers, integrated in said inner face, are in the weft direction. In another variant embodiment, said son or thermo-reactive fibers, integrated in said second inner face, are in the warp direction.

By son or fibers "thermo-reactive" means son or fibers having a certain capacity of retraction under the effect of heat, but also a certain maintenance of the integrity of the material. Preferably, the heat-reactive yarns or fibers are part of the family of meta-aramids, whereas for fibers stable under the effect of heat, the para-aramid or PBO fibers are the best choice.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 schematically shows a traditional multilayer complex; FIG. 2 schematically represents a multilayer complex according to the invention;

- Figure 3 shows conventionally an outer fabric according to the invention, seen in section; - Figure 4 shows the outer fabric of Figure 3, under the effect of heat;

- Figure 5 shows the outer fabric of Figure 4, seen in perspective;

- Figure 6 shows the typical weave of the outer fabric according to one embodiment, with a conventional view (Figure 6a) and a longitudinal view (Figure 6b).

FIG. 1 illustrates a multilayer, five-layer complex conventionally used for the production of protective clothing against heat and fire, in particular for firefighters. In this figure, the layer A designates the outer fabric, the layer B designates the assembly formed by the membrane Bi with its support B ₂ , the layer C denotes the quilted needled felt and the layer D denotes the lining.

FIG. 2 illustrates a multilayer, four-layer complex according to the invention. In this figure, the layer A 'denotes the outer fabric double-fabric, the layer B' means the assembly formed by the membrane B'i and its support B ' ₂ and the layer D' denotes the lining. In this complex there is no thermal barrier

Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of a double-cloth outer fabric, according to the invention, under normal temperature conditions. The outer fabric 1 has an outer face 2 and an inner face 3 interconnected by connection points 4.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate, in section and in perspective, schematically, the thermal reaction mode of the outer fabric of Figure 3 when it is subjected to a sudden increase in temperature. Figure 6 illustrates the typical weave of the outer fabric in one embodiment, with a concrete example of contexture. Figure 6a is a view conventional armor drawing. Figure 6b is a longitudinal view explaining how the two faces 2 and 3 are interconnected.

The invention relates to a multilayer material comprising an outer fabric whose weight is greater than or equal to 285 g / m ² and for which the ratio between the weight per square meter of the layers in front of the membrane and that of the layers located behind the membrane is greater than 1.8.

A study has shown a significant gain in efficiency of the new complex.

A comparison was made between an example of a complex according to the invention and two conventional types of complex, all comprising the same membrane (in microporous polyurethane), laminated on the same support (non-woven aramid 100% of 100 g / m ² ). The "classic" exterior fabric of the two control complexes is a meta-aramid / para-aramid mixture. One of the witnesses is a classic complex, offering a very good protection (complex cxl). The other is a very thin complex, optimizing comfort and passing to low limits the thermal protection standards for firefighters' intervention clothing (according to EN 469 standard) (complex cx2). The thermal protection test standards used were respectively EN 367 for convective heat protection and ISO 6942 for radiant heat protection. The cxl complex is composed of the following layers:

an outer fabric at 200 g / m ² ;

a membrane support B ₂ at 100 g / m ² ;

a membrane Bi at 50 g / m ² ; a felt C and a D liner at 220 g / m ² .

The cx2 complex is composed of the following layers:

an outer fabric at 200 g / m ² ;

a membrane support B ₂ at 100 g / m ² ;

a membrane Bi at 50 g / m ² ; a liner D at 165 g / m ² . Despite their significantly different protection and comfort performances, the two complexes cx1 and cx2 had equivalent thermal protection / evaporative resistance ratios (Ret): of the order of 0.8 for the convective heat protection ratio HΗ24 / Ret, and of 1 for the radiant heat protection ratio RTI24 / Ret.

The complex according to the invention tested in this comparative study is composed of the following layers:

an outer double-fabric fabric (A ¹ ) of 320 g / m ² ; a membrane support (B ' ₂ ) at 100 g / m ² ;

a membrane (B ⁷ ) at 50 g / m ² ;

a lining (aramid / viscose at 130 g / m ²⁾ .

In this complex, the weight ratio of the layers in front of the membrane / weight of the layers located behind the membrane is 3.23. This multilayer complex is characterized by a ratio HTi / Ret of about 1

(an increase of 20% compared to conventional complexes), while the ratio RΗ24 / Ret is about 1.35 (an increase of 35% compared to conventional complexes), as measured by ISO 6942 standards. for radiant heat and FR EN 367 for convective heat. This better performance obtained in the case of the multilayer complex according to the invention can be explained by the fact that placing a greater weight load in front of the membrane makes it possible to increase the duration of thermal exposure necessary to destroy the membrane, thus slowing the when the hot air will be able to cross directly the complex. An outer fabric with a weight> 285 g / m ² ensures a better comfort / protection ratio for protective clothing.

The double-woven outer fabric used in the composition of the multilayer material according to the invention is made by weaving or knitting so as to form a double-sided structure, the outer and inner faces being interconnected intermittently. For example, the warp threads of the outer face intermittently take up the weft threads of the face interior. The term "fabric" is taken in its generic sense, whatever the method of binding, by weaving or knitting. Preferably in the double-sided structure of the outer fabric, each of the two faces has yarns having a certain capacity of retraction under the effect of heat, this effect being differentiated from one face to the other.

Advantageously, the retraction of said first outer face under the effect of heat takes place in the warp direction.

In one embodiment, said son or thermo-reactive fibers integrated in said inner face are in the weft direction. In another embodiment, said son or thermoreactive fibers integrated in said inner face are in the warp direction.

The son or thermo-reactive fibers are distributed in the inner face in at least one direction and are separated at least in part by dimensionally stable son under the effect of heat. The son or thermo-reactive fibers used in the composition of the outer face and the inner face are preferably part of the meta-aramid family. The heat-dimensionally dimensionally stable yarns or fibers used in the composition of the inner face are preferably part of the para-aramid family. According to an alternative embodiment, the multilayer material according to the invention makes it possible to improve the thermal insulation during exposure to a large heat flow thanks to the capacity of the outer fabric to increase its thickness thanks to a double shrinkage under the effect of heat. In a first step, when the temperature reached by the outer face 2 is sufficiently high (FIGS. 4 and 5), a retraction of the thermoactive yarns entering the composition of said face 2, which will lead to the formation of pockets 5 between the two faces 2,3 due to the intermittent connection 4 and the fact that the inner face 3 does not undergo the same retraction. These pockets 5 create a thermal barrier in front of the inner face 3 of the outer fabric 1, said thermal barrier being constituted by air trapped inside said pockets. This insulating effect produces an additional delay in the passage of the hot air which penetrates the outer face 2, before reaching the inner face 3.

Only when the temperature of the inner face 3 reaches the retraction temperature of the thermo-reactive wires used in the composition of said face 3, does the retraction thereof take place, leading to the formation of bosses in this area. 3. This is possible because the son or thermo-reactive fibers are distributed in the lower face 3 in at least one direction and are separated at least in part by son dimensionally stable under the effect of heat. The air trapped in the pockets and bosses, formed between the outer face 2 and the inner face 3, and in the possible bosses formed between the inner face 3 and the membrane support constitutes a protective barrier that increases the the time required for the hot air to pass through the outer fabric 1 to reach the membrane. The outer face comprises warp yarns and weft yarns constituted by son or thermo-reactive fibers. Such yarns are preferably fiber yarns made of a mixture of meta-aramid fibers and antistatic fibers. In the case of KERMEL®-type meta-aramid yarns, the shrinkage temperature is of the order of 300 ^° C. (temperature of the material). The time required for the material to reach this temperature depends on several factors, including the heat source and the density of the fabric.

The inner face comprises son or fiber stable under the effect of heat, optionally alternating with son or thermo-reactive fibers if one seeks the effect of retraction in two steps. In the latter case, the son or thermo-reactive fibers are distributed in the inner face in at least one direction and are separated at least in part by son dimensionally stable under the effect of heat, so that said face Inner forms raised cells or bosses under the effect of heat and the preferential retraction of thermo-reactive son. The distribution of thermo-reactive son in the inner face may be regular or irregular, in a given direction of the surface. According to one 72

particular embodiment of the inner face, the distribution of thermo-reactive son in at least one direction of the face is regular.

The inner face is preferably a woven or knitted surface, preferably a woven surface. The thermo-reactive wires present in the inner face are warp yarns and / or weft yarns. They are distributed in the machine direction and / or in the transverse direction of the surface. They may be present only in the machine direction or only in the transverse direction.

The thermo-reactive wires are separated at least in part from each other by a number of son stable under the effect of heat in the inner face.

The heat-reactive yarns used in the composition of the inner face are yarns selected from the group: meta-aramids, melamine, aromatic polyimides, polyacrylates, polyphenylenes. The dimensionally heat-stable yarns used in the composition of the inner face are selected from the group: para-aramides, PBO (polyparaphenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) and the like.

The thermoreactive yarns or fibers may be used alone or in admixture with dimensionally stable yarns or fibers under the effect of heat. An example is the modacrylic mixture with para-aramid.

The outer double-fabric fabric used in the composition of a multilayer complex according to the invention is made by weaving or knitting so as to form a structure with two faces intermittently connected to each other. Said outer and inner faces are interconnected in such a way that the warp threads of the outer face take up the weft threads of the inner face. This type of structure makes it possible to create pockets in the outer face when the latter is subjected to a sufficiently high temperature to cause the retraction of the thermo-reactive son that enter into its composition. Moreover, the presence of para-aramid son in the inner face of the double-fabric fabric according to the invention gives it a great resistance. mechanical and fire, without the known drawbacks for this type of son, especially sensitivity to ultraviolet and abrasion, from the internal position of this face in the outer double-fabric fabric.

In a first specific example of embodiment, give as an example

In a non-exhaustive manner, the double-woven outer fabric (A '), in accordance with the weave pattern of FIG. 6a and the binding mode between the two faces of FIG. 6b, is 295 g / m ² . It is composed, for the outer face, only thermo-reactive son which are in this case son 99/1 meta-aramid / anti-static fiber Nm 70/2 title. It is composed for the inner face 0 only of dimensionally stable yarns which are in this case 100% para-aramid son of Nm 100/2 title. The connection between the two faces is achieved by the intermittent engagement by some warp son of the outer face of some weft son of the inner face.

The example illustrated in FIG. 6 describes a double-fabric fabric composed of yarns

15 of Chain (CEXT) and weft (TEXT) in meta-aramid Nm 70/2 for the outer face (EXT) and Chain yarn (CINT) and weft (TINT) in para-aramid Nm 100/2 for the inner face (INT). The warp threads (CBCΓ) of the outer face (EXT) hook the picks No. 1 (Di) and No. 27 (D27) forming part of the inner face (INT), alternately. This results in linking

Both faces together and at the same time to form channels (pockets) flat, in the weft direction of the fabric.

A second exemplary embodiment consists in replacing the picks of the armor ratio N ⁰ 1 (Di), 3 (D ₃ ), 27 (D ₂₇ ) and 29 (D ₂ g), forming part of the inner face (INT). by thermo-reactive wires. Regardless of the structure

The inner face is then equivalent to a cloth made of para-aramid threads, having weft-like stripes every 5 mm or so, made by the thermo-reactive threads. In the operating principle, when these wires are brought to a sufficient temperature in the event of an accident (of the order of 300 ^° C. in the case of meta-aramid thermo-reactive wires), they will draw the

The structure of the para-aramid yarns is stable, smoothing the fabric evenly, which increases the thickness of the inner face and thus its insulating power. As an example of multi-layer complex particularly effective for the realization of intervention garment for firefighters, this outer fabric double-fabric could be associated with the following layers:

membrane of the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or microporous or hydrophilic polyurethane type laminated on a 100% aramid nonwoven support of 85 g / m ² ;

- FR 50/50 aramid / viscose fabric lining of 115 g / m ² , for a total complex weight of the order of 550 g / m ² , or, to further increase the thermal protection, an addition of a layer of non-woven aramid 100% of 55 g / m ² padded on the lining for a total complex weight of 600 g / m ² approximately.

Claims

1. Multilayer material for the production of protective clothing, especially for firefighters, comprising from the outside to the inside: - an outer double-fabric fabric (1) comprising an outer face

(2) and an inner face (3);

- optionally a membrane support;

- a breathable membrane;

- optionally a thermal barrier; - A finishing liner, said material being characterized in that the outer fabric has a weight greater than or equal to 285 g / m ² and in that the ratio between the weight per square meter of the layers in front of the membrane and that of the layers located behind the membrane is greater than or equal to 1.8.

2. Material according to claim 1, characterized in that:

the outer face (2) is made of son or thermo-reactive fibers;

- The inner face (3) comprises son or fiber dimensionally stable under the effect of heat, optionally alternating with son or thermo-reactive fibers.

3. Material according to one of claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the outer faces (2) and inner (3) are linked by intermittent bonding (4).

4. Material according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the retraction of the outer face (2) under the effect of heat takes place in the warp direction.

5. Material according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that said son or thermoreactive fibers integrated in the inner face (3) are in the weft direction.

6. Material according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that said son or thermo-reactive fibers integrated in the inner face (3) are in the warp direction.

7. Material according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said son or thermo-reactive fibers are selected from the group: meta-aramids, melamine, aromatic polyimides, polyacrylates, polyphenylenes.

8. Material according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said son or fibers dimensionally stable under the effect of heat are selected from the group: para-aramides, PBO (polyparaphenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole ) and assimilated.

9. Material according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, in the outer fabric (1), the warp threads of the outer face

(2) take the picks of the weft threads of the inner face (3).

10. Protective clothing against heat and fire, especially for firefighters, made using the multilayer material according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Use of the multilayer material according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for the manufacture of protective clothing against heat and fire.