Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D03—WEAVING
  • D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
  • D03D1/00—Woven fabrics designed to make specified articles
  • D03D1/0035—Protective fabrics
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
  • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
  • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
  • D02G3/44—Yarns or threads characterised by the purpose for which they are designed
  • D02G3/443—Heat-resistant, fireproof or flame-retardant yarns or threads
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D03—WEAVING
  • D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
  • D03D15/00—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
  • D03D15/20—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads
  • D03D15/208—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads cellulose-based
  • D03D15/225—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads cellulose-based artificial, e.g. viscose
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D03—WEAVING
  • D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
  • D03D15/00—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
  • D03D15/20—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads
  • D03D15/283—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads synthetic polymer-based, e.g. polyamide or polyester fibres
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D03—WEAVING
  • D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
  • D03D15/00—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
  • D03D15/40—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the structure of the yarns or threads
  • D03D15/47—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the structure of the yarns or threads multicomponent, e.g. blended yarns or threads
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D03—WEAVING
  • D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
  • D03D15/00—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
  • D03D15/50—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the properties of the yarns or threads
  • D03D15/513—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the properties of the yarns or threads heat-resistant or fireproof
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2201/00—Cellulose-based fibres, e.g. vegetable fibres
  • D10B2201/20—Cellulose-derived artificial fibres
  • D10B2201/22—Cellulose-derived artificial fibres made from cellulose solutions
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2201/00—Cellulose-based fibres, e.g. vegetable fibres
  • D10B2201/20—Cellulose-derived artificial fibres
  • D10B2201/22—Cellulose-derived artificial fibres made from cellulose solutions
  • D10B2201/24—Viscose
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2321/00—Fibres made from polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • D10B2321/10—Fibres made from polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds polymers of unsaturated nitriles, e.g. polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene cyanide
  • D10B2321/101—Fibres made from polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds polymers of unsaturated nitriles, e.g. polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene cyanide modacrylic
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2331/00—Fibres made from polymers obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polycondensation products
  • D10B2331/02—Fibres made from polymers obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polycondensation products polyamides
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2331/00—Fibres made from polymers obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polycondensation products
  • D10B2331/02—Fibres made from polymers obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polycondensation products polyamides
  • D10B2331/021—Fibres made from polymers obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polycondensation products polyamides aromatic polyamides, e.g. aramides
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2401/00—Physical properties
  • D10B2401/14—Dyeability
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
  • Y10T442/30—Woven fabric [i.e., woven strand or strip material]
  • Y10T442/3976—Including strand which is stated to have specific attributes [e.g., heat or fire resistance, chemical or solvent resistance, high absorption for aqueous composition, water solubility, heat shrinkability, etc.]
  • Y10T442/3984—Strand is other than glass and is heat or fire resistant

Definitions

• Embodiments of the present invention relate to flame resistant fabrics for inclusion into protective garments for military and electrical applications.
• GL-PD-07-12, Rev. 8 (Purchase Description: Cloth, Flame Resistant, November 26, 2014)
• MIL-PRF-EFRCE Purchase Description: Uniform, Enhanced Flame Resistant Combat Ensemble (EFRCE) Blouse and Trouser, September 2015) are military purchase descriptions that set forth the performance requirements for fabrics used in flame resistant garments for the army (GL-PD-07-12) and marines (MIL-PRF-EFRCE).
• GL-PD-07-12 and MIL-PRF-EFRCE both purchase descriptions include color requirements for military fabrics. More specifically, both address the color shades and camouflage patterns to which the fabrics must be colored, depending on the environment in which the uniforms are intended to be worn.
• GL-PD-07-12 identifies the following three camouflage patterns:
• IR requirements spectral or near infrared reflectance requirements
• IR requirements spectral or near infrared reflectance requirements
• ASTM F 1506 requires that the garments and/or individual layers or parts thereof pass a number of different performance tests.
• Table 1 of ASTM F 1506 sets forth requirements for woven fabrics, including (among others) strength requirements (e.g., tensile strength, tear strength), colorfastness and laundry shrinkage requirements, and thermal protective requirements (e.g., minimal char length and afterflame requirements). As indicted in Table 1, such requirements may differ depending on the weight of the woven fabric tested.
• Table 2 of F 1506 sets forth the same property requirements for knitted fabrics.
• ASTM F 1506 requires all fabrics (woven or knitted) to have a char length of 6 inches or less and have a two second (or less) afterflame, when measured pursuant to the testing methodology set forth in ASTM D6413 (Standard Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles, 2015 edition).
• a fabric specimen is suspended vertically over a flame for twelve seconds.
• the fabric must self-extinguish within two seconds (i.e., it must have a 2 second or less afterflame). After the fabric self-extinguishes, a specified amount of weight is attached to the fabric and the fabric lifted so that the weight is suspended from the fabric.
• the fabric will typically tear along the charred portion of the fabric.
• the length of the tear (i.e., the char length) must be 15 cm (6 inches) or less when the test is performed in both the machine/warp and cross-machine/fill directions of the fabric.
• a fabric sample is typically tested for compliance both before it has been washed (and thus when the fabric still contains residual - and often flammable - chemicals from finishing processes) and after a certain number of launderings (e.g., 25 launderings for ASTM F 1506).
• US 9 034 777 B2 discloses a fire resistant denim comprising 38% modacrylic, 57% cotton and 5% nylon.
• US 2014/261852 A1 discloses fire resistant weaves comprising a 45% modacrylic, 45% cellulosic and 10% nylon.
• Embodiments of the invention relate to flame resistant fabrics comprising a blend of modacrylic, aliphatic polyamide, and cellulosic fibers according to claim 1.
• Some embodiments are printed and/or dyed with vat dyes so as to comply with the color requirements (including the color, colorfastness, and IR requirements) set forth in the relevant sections of GL-PD-07-12 and/or MIL-PRF-EFRCE.
• Some embodiments further include reinforcing yarns that improve the strength of the fabrics.
• Still other embodiments are flame resistant fabrics for use in electrical applications that comply with some or all of the requirements of ASTM F 1506.
• Some embodiments of the invention include flame resistant fabrics suitable for use in military uniforms. Such embodiments of the fabrics preferably comply with the relevant color requirements (including the color, colorfastness, and IR requirements) set forth in sections 3.6 and 3.8 of GL-PD-07-12 and sections 3.3.2, 3.3.5, and 3.3.7 of MIL-PRF-EFRCE. Moreover, some embodiments of the fabrics are low weight and fast drying, rendering them particularly suitable for hot and hot/humid conditions in that such fabrics manage moisture effectively and dry quickly.
• the spun yarns are formed of a blend that includes modacrylic fibers.
• suitable modacrylic fibers are PROTEX TM fibers available from Kaneka Corporation of Osaka, Japan, SEF TM available from Solutia, PyroTex ® available from PyroTex Fibers GmbH, or blends thereof.
• the blend also includes aliphatic polyamides to increase the fabric strength and abrasion resistance.
• aliphatic polyamides to increase the fabric strength and abrasion resistance.
• FR flame resistant
• Nylon XF poly(ethylene terephthalate)
• Nylon HT poly(ethylene terephthalate)
• suitable aliphatic polyamides for use in the blend.
• the fiber blend may further include FR or non-FR cellulosic fibers, including, but not limited to, natural and synthetic cellulosic fibers (e.g., cotton, rayon, acetate, triacetate, and lyocell, as well as their flame resistant counterparts FR cotton, FR rayon, FR acetate, FR triacetate, and FR lyocell).
• rayon fibers include Viscose TM and Modal TM by Lenzing, available from Lenzing Fibers Corporation.
• An example of an FR rayon material is Lenzing FR TM , also available from Lenzing Fibers Corporation, and VISIL TM , available from Sateri.
• Examples of lyocell fibers include TENCEL TM , TENCEL G100 TM and TENCEL A100 TM , all available from Lenzing Fibers Corporation.
• the fiber blend includes a blend of modacrylic, nylon, and cellulosic fibers (e.g., synthetic cellulosic fibers such as lyocell fibers).
• the spun yarns are formed from a fiber blend having approximately 40-65% modacrylic fibers, approximately 10-40% cellulosic fibers (e.g., synthetic cellulosic), and approximately 15-40% nylon fibers.
• the cellulosic fibers (such as lyocell) and nylon fibers used in these blends can be FR or non-FR.
• the spun yarns are devoid of aramid fibers.
• the same types of modacrylic fibers, cellulosic fibers, and nylon fibers need not be used in the blend. Rather, multiple types of each may be blended together.
• the cellulosic fibers are provided in the blend to increase the comfort and moisture management of the fabric. In some embodiments, however, it may be desirable (but not required) to use lower levels of cellulosic fibers to help reduce fabric drying time. In some embodiments, the cellulosic fibers constitute less of the fiber blend than the nylon fibers.
• the fiber blend is devoid of other FR fibers typically used in FR fabrics to impart FR properties to the fabrics, such as, but not limited to, aramid fibers such as meta- and para-aramid fibers.
• FR and non-FR fibers include, but are not limited to, polybenzoxazole (“PBO") fibers, polybenzimidazole (“PBI”) fibers, poly ⁇ 2,6-diimidazo[4,5-b:40; 50-e]-pyridinylene-1,4(2,5-dihydroxy)phenylene ⁇ (“PIPD”) fibers, ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene fibers, UHMW polypropylene fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers, liquid crystal polymer fibers (e.g., aromatic polyesters such as VECTRAN), glass fibers, polynosic rayon fibers, carbon fibers, silk fibers, polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, aromatic polyester fibers, TANLON TM fiber
• PBO polybenzoxazole
• PBI polybenzimidazole
• PIPD poly ⁇ 2,6-diimidazo[4,5-b:40; 50-e]-pyridinylene-1,4
• para-aramid fibers examples include KEVLAR TM (available from DuPont), TECHNORA TM (available from Teijin Twaron BV of Arnheim, Netherlands), and TWARON TM (also available from Teijin Twaron BV).
• meta-aramid fibers examples include NOMEX TM (available from DuPont), CONEX TM (available from Teijin), and APYEIL TM (available from Unitika).
• An example of a polyester fiber is DACRON ® (available from Invista TM ).
• An example of a PIPD fiber includes M5 (available from Dupont).
• An example of melamine fibers is BASOFIL TM (available from Basofil Fibers).
• An example of PAN fibers is Panox ® (available from the SGL Group).
• UHMW polyethylene materials examples include Dyneema and Spectra.
• An example of a liquid crystal polymer material is VECTRAN TM (available from Kuraray).
• anti-static fibers, anti-microbial fibers, and/or stretch fibers may also be added to the blend.
• the spun yarns can be formed in conventional ways well known in the industry.
• the spun yarns can comprise a single yarn or two or more individual yarns that are twisted, plied, or otherwise combined together.
• the spun yarns can subsequently be used to form fabrics in a variety of ways, all well known in the industry.
• the yarns can be knitted or woven.
• the fabric is formed as a plain weave fabric or a twill weave (e.g. 2 ⁇ 1 twill) fabric that comprises a plurality of body yarns.
• a rip-stop weave e.g. 2 ⁇ 1 twill
• sateen weave etc.
• the reinforcing yarns may be spun yarns (such as, but not limited to, those described above), continuous filament yarns, stretch broken yarns, and combinations thereof.
• the reinforcing yarns may be of any size (i.e., of any cotton count or denier).
• the reinforcing yarns may be formed from a variety of different materials, including, but not limited to, polyamides (e.g., nylon), high density polyethylene, rayon (FR or non-FR), polyester, aramids (meta-aramid and para-aramid), as well as the other inherently FR fibers and/or non-inherently FR fibers (FR or non-FR) identified above.
• the reinforcing yarns are nylon continuous filament yarns.
• the body of the fabric is formed of spun yarns (such as those described above) and the reinforcing yarns are provided in one or both of the machine/warp and cross-machine/fill directions of the fabric.
• the reinforcing yarns are provided in both the machine/warp and cross-machine/fill directions of the fabric so as to create a grid-like pattern.
• the occurrence of the reinforcing yarns may be the same or different in each fabric direction.
• the reinforcing yarns may be provided in isolation or may be combined, coupled, or covered (i.e., plied, ply twist, wrapped, coresheath, coverspun, etc.) with one or more other yarns (or staple fibers).
• the reinforcing yarns may be provided at any frequency within the fabric.
• a reinforcing yarn may be provided every n th end or pick.
• the frequency at which reinforcing yarns are used i.e., the value of "n" can be the same or different (1) within a direction of the fabric and/or (2) in different directions of the fabric.
• the value of "n" can be anywhere between 1-60, inclusive; 1-50, inclusive; 1-40, inclusive; 1-30, inclusive; 1-20, inclusive; 1-10, inclusive; and 1-5, inclusive, such that at least (n-1) ends or picks of body yarns are positioned between the adjacent reinforcing yarns that are separated by body yarns.
• reinforcing yarns may be provided directly adjacent each other (i.e., not separated from each other by body yarns) in one or both directions of the fabric.
• at least some occurrences of reinforcing yarns in the fabric may include three reinforcing yarns in a row, four reinforcing yarns in a row, five reinforcing yarns in a row, etc.
• the frequency of the occurrence of reinforcing yarns as well as the number of reinforcing yarns provided at each such occurrence may depend on the desired strength properties of the fabric as well as the size of the reinforcing yarns. If a larger sized reinforcing yarn is used, only one such yarn inserted every n th end and/or pick may provide sufficient reinforcement to the fabric. Conversely, if a smaller reinforcement yarn is used, two or more ends or picks of such yarns may be desired where reinforcing yarns are provided in the fabric. In some embodiments, the reinforcing yarns comprise 5-40% of the overall fabric weight.
• the fabrics disclosed herein have a weight between 68-407 grams per square meter ("g/m 2 ”) (2-12 ounces per square yard (“osy”)), inclusive; 68-340 g/m 2 (2-10 osy), inclusive; 68-305 g/m 2 (2-9 osy), inclusive; 68-271 g/m 2 (2-8 osy), inclusive; 68-237 g/m 2 (2-7 osy), inclusive; 68-203 g/m 2 (2-6 osy), inclusive; 68-170 g/m 2 (2-5 osy), inclusive; 68-136 g/m 2 (2-4 osy), inclusive; 102-340 g/m 2 (3-10 osy), inclusive; 102-271 g/m 2 (3-8 osy), inclusive; 102-203 g/m 2 (3-6 osy), inclusive; and 102-170 g/m 2 (3-5 osy), inclusive.
• the fabric weight is 136
• Fabrics that may not be - but that are capable of being - dyed and/or printed with vat dyes to colors and/or patterns that comply with the color, colorfastness, and IR requirements set forth in sections 3.6 and 3.8 of GL-PD-07-12 and/or sections 3.3.2, 3.3.5, and 3.3.7 of MIL-PRF-EFRCE are covered by this patent.
• Table 1 (GL-PD-07-12 Requirements) Pattern GL-PD-07-12 Color Requirement GL-PD-07-12 Colorfastness Requirement GL-PD-07-12 IR Requirement Class 1, Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) section 3.6.1.1 section 3.6.3, Table I section 3.8.1, Table II Class 2, Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OEF-CP) section 3.6.1.2 section 3.6.3, Table I.A section 3.8.2, Table II.A Class 3, Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) section 3.6.1.3 section 3.6.3, Table I.B section 3.8.3, Table II.B Table 2 (MIL-PRF-EFRCE Requirements) Pattern MIL-PRF-EFRCE Color Requirement MIL-PRF-EFRCE Colorfastness Requirement MIL-PRF-EFRCE IR Requirement Cloth Type I (Woodland MARPAT) section 3.3.2.1 section 3.3.5, Table I section 3.3.7.1 Clo
• the Modacrylic Blend Ripstop, High Strength Modacrylic Blend Ripstop, and High Strength Modacrylic Blend Twill surpass almost every required fabric property set forth in the purchase descriptions.
• these fabrics exceed the tear strength requirements despite being of lighter weights than specified in the purchase descriptions.
• Tear strength is a measure of the amount of force required to propagate in a fabric a tear after its initiation.
• the tear strength of fabrics is measured pursuant to ASTM D1424 - 09 ( Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf-Type) Apparatus (2013 edition)), and the results are reported in pounds force (1bf).
• the tear strength of fabrics according to embodiments of the invention can be enhanced by inclusion of the reinforcing yarns (such as, e.g., stretch broken and/or filaments yarns, as discussed above) in the fabric.
• the reinforcing yarns such as, e.g., stretch broken and/or filaments yarns, as discussed above. This can be seen, for example, by comparing the tear strength of the Modacrylic Blend Ripstop (devoid of nylon filament yarns) against the stronger High Strength Modacrylic Blend Ripstop and High Strength Modacrylic Blend Twill, which each include nylon filament reinforcing yarns (see Table 3 below).
• Some embodiments of the fabrics have tear strengths greater or equal to 62 N (14 pounds force ) in one or both of the warp and fill directions. Some embodiments of the fabrics (particularly, but not necessarily, those having reinforcing yarns) have tear strengths greater or equal to 62 N (14 pounds force ) in one or both of the warp and fill directions while being of relatively low weight (203 g/m2 (6 osy ) or less). Some embodiments of the fabrics (particularly, but not necessarily, those having reinforcing yarns) have tear strengths greater or equal to 71 N (16 pounds force ) in one or both of the warp and fill directions.
• Some embodiments of the fabrics have tear strengths greater or equal to 71 N (16 pounds force) in one or both of the warp and fill directions while being of relatively low weight (203 g/m2 (6 osy) or less). Some embodiments of the fabrics (particularly, but not necessarily, those having reinforcing yarns) have tear strengths greater or equal to 85 N (19 pounds force) in one or both of the warp and fill directions. Some embodiments of the fabrics (particularly, but not necessarily, those having reinforcing yarns) have tear strengths greater or equal to 85 N (19 pounds force) in one or both of the warp and fill directions while being of relatively low weight (203 g/m2 (6 osy) or less).
• Some embodiments of the fabrics have tear strengths greater or equal to 93 N (21 pounds force) in one or both of the warp and fill directions. Some embodiments of the fabrics (particularly, but not necessarily, those having reinforcing yarns) have tear strengths greater or equal to 93 N (21 pounds force) in one or both of the warp and fill directions while being of relatively low weight (203 g/m2 (6 osy ) or less).
• inclusion of reinforcing yarns increases the tear strength of the fabric (in either or both of the warp direction and fill direction) by at least 50%; at least 60%; at least 70%; at least 80%; at least 90%; at least 100%; at least 105%; at least 120%; at least 140%; and/or at least 170%.
• Such improvement in tear strength can be seen by comparing the tear strength of the fabric formed only with spun body yarns against the tear strength of an otherwise identical fabric that is formed with the same spun body yarns but with reinforcing yarns as well.
• Such improvement in tear strength can been see, for example, by comparing the tear strength results of the Modacrylic Blend Ripstop against the High Strength Modacrylic Blend Ripstop in Table 3.
• the tear strength of the greige fabrics identified in Table 4 were tested. More specifically, four woven fabrics were formed, each with one of the body yarn types identified in Table 4.
• the first fabric was formed with body yarns having a 65/25/10 FR rayon/para-aramid/nylon fiber blend.
• the second fabric was formed with body yarns having a 93/5/2 meta-aramid/para-aramid/anti-static fiber blend.
• the third fabric was formed with body yarns having a 48/37/15 modacrylic/lyocell/para-aramid fiber blend.
• the fourth fabric was formed with body yarns having a 55/25/20 modacrylic/nylon/lyocell fiber blend and represents an embodiment of a fabric made pursuant to the present invention.
• the fabrics were woven both without reinforcing yarns (i.e., the fabrics only included body yarns) and with identical reinforcing yarns.
• the break or tensile strength of the body yarns and reinforcing yarns was measured (pursuant to ASTM D5034 ( Standard Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Grab Test) (2013 edition)), and the results were reported in pounds force.
• ASTM D5034 Standard Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Grab Test) (2013 edition)
• the tear strength of the fabrics in the fill direction, both with and without reinforcing yarns was also measured (pursuant to ASTM D1424).
• the results are graphically represented in Graph 1.
• the reinforcing yarns were significantly more effective when included in a fabric having weaker body yarns.
• the first fabric has body yarns that are significantly stronger than those of the fourth fabric.
• inclusion of the same reinforcing yarns in each of these fabrics increased the overall tear strength of each fabric.
• the efficacy of such reinforcing yarns in fabrics made from weaker yarns Inclusion of the reinforcing yarns in the fabric with the strongest body yarns (the first fabric) only resulted in a 16% improvement in fabric tear strength.
• inclusion of the same reinforcing yarns in the fabric with the weakest body yarns (the fourth fabric) led to a 57% increase in fabric tear strength.
• the tear strength of the reinforced fabric formed with the weaker yarns actually surpassed the tear strength of the reinforced fabric formed with the strongest yarns.
• Embodiments of the fabrics disclosed herein are printable and/or dyeable with vat dyes so as to comply with at least one of the following:
• High Strength Modacrylic Blend Twill fabric was vat dye printed with the Class 3, Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) pattern specified in GL-PD-07-12, section 3.6.1.3.
• OCP Operational Camouflage Pattern
• Table 5 compares the colorfastness of the High Strength Modacrylic Blend Twill fabric with the OCP pattern against the colorfastness requirements for that pattern (GL-PD-07-12, section 3.6.3 and Table I.B).
• Table 6 compares the spectral or near IR reflectance of the High Strength Modacrylic Blend Twill fabric with the OCP pattern against the spectral reflectance requirements for that pattern (GL-PD-07-12, section 3.8.3 and Table II.B).
• the High Strength Modacrylic Blend Twill fabric with the OCP pattern passed all of the applicable colorfastness and near IR reflectance requirements for that pattern.
• Fabrics according to some embodiments of the invention are self-extinguishing, exhibit no melt or drip when exposed to a flame or thermal event, and/or have an afterflame of less than or equal to two seconds when tested in accordance with ASTM D6413. While the char lengths of the tested fabrics failed to comply with the requirements of GL-PD-07-12 and MIL-PRF-EFRCE, fabrics according to some embodiments of the invention have a char length of 15 cm (6 inches) or less and of 18 cm (7 inches) or less, when tested pursuant to ASTM D6413.
• Embodiments of the flame resistant fabrics disclosed herein can be used to construct the entirety of, or various portions of, a variety of protective garments for use in military applications and/or electrical applications, including, but not limited to, combat uniforms, coveralls, jumpsuits, shirts, jackets, vests, and trousers.
• Low weight versions (e.g., 203 g/m2 (6 osy ) or less) of fabrics disclosed herein may be particularly suitable for inclusion in uniforms for use in hot and hot/humid environments, such as deserts, jungles, and other tropical environments.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Woven Fabrics (AREA)
• Yarns And Mechanical Finishing Of Yarns Or Ropes (AREA)
• Knitting Of Fabric (AREA)

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• 2016
  • 2016-10-21 AU AU2016340965A patent/AU2016340965B2/en active Active
  • 2016-10-21 HU HUE16858335A patent/HUE058260T2/hu unknown
  • 2016-10-21 BR BR112018007897A patent/BR112018007897A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2016-10-21 JP JP2018520114A patent/JP2018531329A/ja active Pending
  • 2016-10-21 US US15/768,142 patent/US20180313006A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2016-10-21 PL PL16858335T patent/PL3365482T3/pl unknown
  • 2016-10-21 WO PCT/US2016/058202 patent/WO2017070529A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2016-10-21 EP EP16858335.9A patent/EP3365482B1/en active Active
  • 2016-10-21 CN CN201680075322.XA patent/CN108474147A/zh active Pending
  • 2016-10-21 DK DK16858335.9T patent/DK3365482T3/da active
  • 2016-10-21 CA CA3001704A patent/CA3001704C/en active Active
• 2023
  • 2023-08-23 US US18/454,339 patent/US20240102212A1/en active Pending

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