FR2846201A1 - Composite fire-resistant and waterproof textile material e.g. for firefighters' garments has outer layer made from two non-woven layers connected by felted bridges - Google Patents

Abstract

The composite material (1) consists of a first textile layer (2) based on thermostable fibres and a second layer (3) comprising a non-flammable, liquid water impermeable-water vapor permeable membrane, and a third layer (4) of a discontinuous adhesive between (2) and (3) to fix them together. (2) is made up of two separate non-woven layers (5, 6) connected by fibre bridges (8) produced by felting. The composite material (1) consists of a first textile layer (2) based on thermostable fibres and a second layer (3) comprising a membrane that is impermeable to water in liquid form and permeable to water vapor and is non-flammable, and a third layer (4) of a discontinuous adhesive between the first and second layers to fix them together. The first layer is made up of two separate non-woven layers (5, 6) connected by fibre bridges (8) produced by felting. In a variant the first layer can be made from three layers, two outer layers (5, 6) and an intermediate layer (7) of lower density than the other two.

Description

i The invention relates to a fire-resistant composite textile, a lining

  composite comprising such a textile as well as thermal protective clothing

  comprising such a lining or such a textile.

  In a particular application, the garment is intended to be worn by

  firefighters who have to fight fires.

  In such a context, the garment must ensure comfort and safety for the person

who wears it.

  For the production of thermal protective clothing, it is known to use a stack of layers having different functions so as to obtain the

  overall performance desired for said garments.

  In particular, the stack forming the garment must have the following characteristics which, in the case of protective clothing for firefighters, are the subject of European standard EN 469 of September 1995: - resist fire; - provide thermal protection to protect the individual from heat; - have low thermal shrinkage; - be waterproof while allowing the passage of water vapor, in particular sweat - from the inside of the garment to the outside environment. Finally, the different properties that such a stack must possess must not lead to the multiplication of the independent layers which compose it so

  not to complicate the making of the garment.

  Document EP-0 364 370 discloses a fire-resistant composite textile which is intended to be inserted between an external textile assembly and an internal textile assembly in order to produce a thermal protection garment, said textile comprising a first textile layer formed of a nonwoven based on thermostable fibers without chemical bonding of the fibers, a second layer formed of a non-flammable microporous membrane, the two layers being connected

  between them by a layer of adhesive.

  Such a textile has thermal protection properties and is impermeable to liquid water and permeable to water vapor - or breathable -. The invention aims in particular to improve such fire-resistant composite textiles, in particular by improving the thermal protection imparted while guaranteeing

  the other properties mentioned above.

  To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a waterproof fireproof composite textile comprising a first textile layer based on thermostable fibers, a second layer comprising a membrane impermeable to liquid water and permeable to water vapor, non-flammable and a third discontinuous layer of adhesive placed between said first and second layers ensuring the fixing of the second layer on the first layer, in which the first layer comprises the superposition of at least two non- woven fabrics linked together by

  fibrous bridges obtained by needling said superposition.

  Such needling ensures cohesion of the first layer while having within the first layer a larger volume of air than in known embodiments. The first layer according to the invention allows

  therefore ensuring improved thermal protection.

  According to a second aspect, the subject of the invention is a composite lining comprising such a waterproof fireproof composite textile and a fourth textile layer, said fourth layer being associated on the face of the

  first layer which is opposite to the second layer.

  According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a thermal protection garment comprising an external textile assembly constituting the outer face of the garment and such a composite lining, in which the

  fourth layer constitutes the interior face of the garment.

  According to a fourth aspect, the subject of the invention is a thermal protective garment comprising an external textile assembly constituting the external face of the garment and a composite textile according to the invention, in which the external ply constitutes the internal face of the garment so as to form 10 lining.

  According to a fifth aspect, the subject of the invention is a thermal protective garment comprising an external textile assembly constituting the external face of the garment and a lining constituting the internal face of the garment, said garment comprising an insert mounted between the external textile and the lining, in which the insert is a waterproof fireproof composite textile according to the invention, the first layer of said composite textile being placed in

look at the lining.

  The invention therefore provides clothing which has improved thermal protection properties, without adding an independent layer.

  extra for their making.

  Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

  - Figure 1 is a sectional representation of a composite textile according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 is a sectional representation of a composite textile according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 is a sectional representation of a composite lining comprising a composite textile according to Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention; - Figure 4 is a sectional representation of a composite lining according to Figure 3 which is mounted flying on an external textile assembly to form a thermal protection garment, according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 5 is a sectional representation of a composite textile according to Figure 1 which is mounted flywheel between an external textile assembly and a lining to form a thermal protective clothing, according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 6 is a perspective representation of a protective jacket

  thermal made on the basis of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fire-resistant composite textile 1 is formed of a first textile layer 2, of a second layer 3 and of a third layer 20 of adhesive bonding together the first and second layer 2, 3 so

form a unitary whole.

  The first layer 2 comprises at least two nonwoven plies 5-7 which

  are linked together by fibrous bridges 8.

  The fibrous bridges 8 extend between two adjacent plies 5-7 so as to form between said plies a space E. The fibrous bridges 8 are produced according to a needling method known in particular from document FR-2 678 547. The bridges fibrous 8 are formed by fibers from one of the layers 5, 6 arranged outside of the layer 2.

  The fibrous bridges 8 on the one hand are sufficient in number to ensure the cohesion of the plies 5-7 and on the other hand allow the plies 57 to be joined together. The fibrous bridges 8 thus ensure the mechanical cohesion of the first layer 2, so that the composite textile 1 forms a unitary assembly.

  According to one embodiment, the distribution of the fibrous bridges 8 inside the space E is carried out randomly over the entire surface of the first layer 2.

  According to another embodiment, this distribution is carried out in an orderly fashion, for example in the form of strips of fibrous bridge 8 which extend substantially

  in the same direction so, by providing air channels between said strips, to improve the thermal protection provided by the first layer 2.

  Furthermore, the density of fibrous bridges 8 inside the space E is arranged so that said space includes a large volume of air.

  The fibers forming the layers 5-7 of the first layer 2 are either

  thermostable by nature, or fireproofed after their manufacture.

  The fibers used for the layers 5-7 of the first layer 2 are for example made of meta or para aramid, polyamide-imide, polyacrylate, polybenzimidazole, aromatic copolyimide, polyacrylonitryl oxide, polyacrylate, phenylene polysulphide, polyester ether ketone, FR viscose, cotton, ceramic fibers, Zirpo or in a phenolic compound, or 25 fluorocarbons, or modalcrylics. A mixture of these thermostable fibers

is also usable.

  The first layer 2 and the second layer 3 of the composite textile 1 are

  bonded together by adhesive with a layer of adhesive 4.

  In the embodiment shown, the adhesive layer 4 is discontinuous and consists of adhesion points 9, for example comprising a polymer

crosslinkable to moisture.

  Points 9 can be obtained by screen printing and can be formed from thermoplastic polymers, making it possible in particular to obtain

  a bonding with great resistance to dry cleaning and washing.

  Preferably, the polymer used is non-flammable. It can for example be given this quality by the addition of chlorinated antimony trioxide. The points 9 are deposited in the form of a paste or powder or else

  sprinkled on one of the two layers 2, 3, for example on layer 2.

  The association of the two layers 2, 3 is carried out in a conventional manner

on a press.

  In an exemplary embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer is deposited

  crosslinkable with moisture on the first layer 2 by the melt. After passing through an oven set at 130 ° C., the second layer 3 is immediately applied using a cooled calender. By a subsequent heat treatment at 150 ° C. for one minute, the final crosslinking of the bonding is obtained. The textile then rests 24 hours.

  Other bonding methods can be used such as, for example, the use of thermo-adhesive webs, films or grids to which each of the layers 2, 3 of the composite textile 1 is applied in a press or by simple calendering.

  The second layer 3 comprises a membrane impermeable to liquid water and permeable to water vapor. As a variant, the second layer 3 also comprises a textile sheet, for example formed of a knitted fabric, which is associated with the membrane so as to reinforce it mechanically.

  The membrane is formed for example of polyurethane or polyamino acid, with a thickness of between 10 and 50 microns. It presents micro-

  perforations or pores with a diameter of 0.2 microns which allow the circulation of water and carbon dioxide molecules but prevent the

passage of liquid water.

  Preferably, this membrane is based on polyurethane flame retarded by

  example by adding a nitrogen and phosphorus additive.

  According to another embodiment, the microporous membrane can be

  made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

  Furthermore, hydrophilic type membranes which are impermeable to liquid water and permeable to water vapor can also be used for

  the realization of the second layer 3.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first layer 2 comprises three layers 5, 6, 7 superimposed and separated in pairs by a space E. The layers 5, 6 form the outside of layer 2, and the tablecloth

  median 7 being located between the two layers 5, 6.

  The fibrous bridges 8 therefore extend from a ply 5, 6 external to the middle ply 7 and are formed mainly of fibers from the plies

exterior 5, 6.

  It can be envisaged that the central ply 7 is different from the outer plies 5, 6, in terms of the fibers constituting them and / or their structure.

  Indeed, the middle ply 7 is not subjected to the same constraints, in particular mechanical, as the two plies 5, 6 which are themselves in contact,

  respectively with the exterior and with the adhesive layer 4.

  In order to obtain a larger volume of air in layer 2, it may, for example, be desirable for the density of the middle layer 7 to be lower than that

outer layers 5, 6.

  As a variant, and depending on the constraints of use, the two outer plies 5, 6 may also be different from each other, at the level of the fibers the

  constituent and / or their structure.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first layer 2 comprises two layers 5, 6, superimposed and separated by the space E provided

fibrous bridges 8.

  This embodiment typically corresponds to the case where it is desired to obtain a composite textile of thickness less than that of the textile of FIG. 1.

  We will now describe, with reference to FIG. 3, a composite lining 17 which comprises the composite textile 1 described in relation to FIG. 1.

  Such a lining is waterproof and breathable and is intended to constitute the inner face of a protective garment. This lining allows great simplicity in making a protective garment by reducing to two the number of elements to be combined to obtain said garment.

  Such a composite lining comprises a fourth textile layer 16 associated with the composite textile 1, said fourth layer being associated on the face of the first layer 2 which is opposite to the second layer 3, so as to form a unitary assembly.

  According to one embodiment, the fourth layer 16 comprises a fabric which is

  intended to form the interior face of the garment.

  According to another embodiment, the fourth layer 16 comprises a nonwoven, for example needled, which is intended to form the inner face of the garment. Alternatively, the fourth layer 16 may include a knitted fabric formed through the nonwoven ply so as to reinforce said ply. In this case, the columns of meshes, formed by added threads are linked together which gives them greater cohesion and, thereby, gives greater cohesion to

the lining 17 as a whole.

  According to one embodiment, the fourth layer 16 is associated with the textile 1 by quilting using a thread 18. For this purpose, the fourth layer 16 is associated with the first layer 2 prior to the association of the first layer 2 with the second layer 3, so as to avoid perforation of the

  membrane during the quilting step.

  In the context of the application under consideration, the fourth layer 16 may be fireproof and resistant to heat and to flame. To this end, the fourth layer 16 is made up of thermostable fibers and / or son, such as, for example, those used to produce the first layer 2 of the composite textile 1 as described above. However, the fourth layer 16 being protected

  thermally by layer 2, this arrangement is not decisive.

  Described below, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, particularly effective and light thermal protective clothing 10 and / or fire fighting clothing, which comprise the composite textile 1 according to the invention.

  In Figure 4 is shown a garment comprising an outer textile assembly 11 constituting its outer face and a composite lining as shown in Figure 3, in which the fourth layer 16 constitutes the inner face of the garment.

  During manufacture, the composite lining 17 is mounted loose relative to the external fabric 11. Thus, the use of the composite lining 17 facilitates the manufacture of the garment 10 by reducing the number of elements to be assembled 30 since the lining 17 is integrated into the composite textile 1.

  According to another embodiment, the protective garment 10 comprises an external textile assembly 11 constituting its external face and a composite textile 1 according to the invention, in which the external ply 5 constitutes the

  inside of the garment so as to form a lining.

  During manufacture, the composite textile 1 is mounted flywheel relative to the external fabric, and the number of elements to be assembled is therefore, as in the previous embodiment, reduced to two.

  In connection with FIGS. 5 and 6, a garment 10 for thermal protection, such as a jacket, is described which comprises an external textile assembly 11 10 constituting its external face and a standard lining 12 constituting its internal face. The garment 10 comprises an insert 13 formed from a waterproof fireproof composite textile 1 as described above, the first layer 2 of which is placed opposite the lining 12 and the second layer 3, which is waterproof, is

placed towards the external textile i1.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the insert 13 is mounted flywheel between the external textile 11 and the lining 12 which means that it is fixed simultaneously to the external textile 11 and to the lining 12 by its periphery 14 when making, for example by sewing along the seam lines

  from the lining 12 to the outer fabric 11.

  Outside these lines, the insert 13 is free, between the external fabric 11 and the lining 12 without any other attachment to these elements.

  In an embodiment shown in FIG. 6 in relation to a thermal protection jacket, the insert 13 and the lining 12 constitute an assembly which can be separated from the external textile 11. It can for example be connected to the external textile assembly 11 by a zipper 15.

  During maintenance of the jacket 10, the insert 13 and the lining 12 can be separated from the external textile 11. It is thus possible to submit these two

  elements with different cleaning modes.

  The tightness of the garment 10 can be improved by the addition of waterproof strips which are fixed on the seams. In the protective clothing according to the invention, when the garment is watered, the lining, the first layer 2 of the textile 1 and therefore the user are protected since the layer 3 is impermeable to liquid. In particular, the

  membrane prevents the inclusion of water in spaces E, which would affect the thermal insulation properties of layer 2 as well as the drying capacity of the garment. In addition, this sealing makes it possible to avoid burns which the user of the garment could undergo when he is sprayed with hot water.

  Layer 3, however, allows water vapor and gas to circulate freely

  carbonic just like the other layers 3, 4 and the lining must do it.

  Furthermore, the adhesive layer 4 being discontinuous, a very large part of its surface is free of any material, which makes it possible not to alter the property.

breathable textile 1.

  In addition, as mentioned above, the first layer 2 having a large volume of air, the water vapor has every possibility of passing through the

layer 2.

  Thus, the composite textile 1 as a whole has all the qualities required to avoid condensation of perspiration, which gives it optimal comfort.

  Another property by which the garments according to the invention are

  particularly effective is thermal insulation.

  This characteristic is fulfilled by the importance of the volume of air included in the textile 1. Indeed, where the fibrous bridges 8 extend, the layer 2 has a large volume of air. To this volume, it is necessary to add that which is within the nonwoven webs 5-7 themselves.

  Due to the heat capacity of the air, the first layer 2 can thus act as a thermal barrier against the high heat prevailing in the ambient environment, for example in the context of the intervention of firefighters to 1o control a fire.

  In addition, when the garment 10 is subjected to excessive conditions causing the deterioration of the layer 3, the user remains protected by the layer 2 based on thermostable fibers. Indeed, the fibers constituting the first layer 2 are flame retardant, which gives layer 2 a good

fire resistance.

  In the cases of use of such garments, it is also advisable to have a textile which does not undergo a strong thermal shrinkage. This occurs in hot weather due to the tightening of the fibers, which leads to a

  shrinking of the covered area.

  In a textile comprising several layers or layers, each of them undergoes a particular shrinkage. These different shrinkages accentuate the deterioration of the textile.

  In the nonwoven layer 2 used in the invention, unlike in particular knitted fabrics or fabrics, the fibers are distributed in all directions.

  Thus, the uniformity of the distribution of the directions of the fibers allows minimal thermal shrinkage, since no direction is preferred, which attenuates the

  minimum deterioration of the textile 1.

  Furthermore, the composite textile 1 which provides all of the required functions is unitary so as not to complicate the making of the garment. In addition, the lining can be combined with the textile 1 so as to form a unitary assembly

  which will be used as such for the clothing.

Claims (17)

  1. waterproof fireproof composite textile (1) comprising a first textile layer (2) based on thermostable fibers, a second layer (3) comprising a membrane impermeable to liquid water and permeable to water vapor, non-flammable and a third layer (4) of discontinuous adhesive placed between said first and second layers (2, 3) ensuring the fixing of the second layer (3) on the first layer (2), characterized in that the first layer ( 2) comprises the superposition of at least two nonwoven plies (5, 6) 10 interconnected by fibrous bridges (8) obtained by needling of said overlay.   2. Textile according to claim 1, characterized in that the first layer (2) comprises the superposition of three plies, two outer plies (5, 6) and a middle ply (7).   3. Textile according to claim 2, characterized in that the two layers   outer (5, 6) are formed of the same material.   4. Textile according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the two outer plies (5, 6) have a density greater than the density of the middle ply (7).   5. Textile according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the third layer (4) of adhesive consists of dots (9) and is obtained by serigraphic coating.   6. Textile according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the third layer (4) of adhesive comprises a moisture-crosslinkable polymer which is deposited in the melt.   7. Textile according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the   first layer (2) comprises thermostable polyamide-imide fibers.   8. Textile according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the   membrane of the second layer (3) is made from polyurethane.   s 9. Composite lining (17) comprising a fire-resistant composite textile (1)   raincoat according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a fourth textile layer (16), said fourth layer being associated on the face of the   first layer (2) which is opposite to the second layer (3).   10. Lining according to claim 9, characterized in that the fourth layer (16) comprises a nonwoven.   11. Lining according to claim 9, characterized in that the fourth layer (16) comprises a fabric.   12. Lining according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the fourth layer (16) is formed on the basis of fibers and / or son thermostable.   13. Lining according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in   that the fourth layer (16) is associated with the first layer (2) by padding. 14. Thermal protective clothing (10) comprising an external textile assembly (11) constituting the external face of the clothing and a composite lining   (17) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the fourth   layer (16) constitutes the inner face of the garment.   15. Thermal protective clothing (10) comprising an external textile assembly (11) constituting the external face of the clothing and a composite textile (1)   according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the outer ply (5) constitutes the inner face of the garment so as to form   lining. 16. Thermal protection garment (10) comprising an external textile assembly (11) constituting the outer face of the garment and a lining (12) constituting the inner face of the garment, said garment (10) comprising an insert (13) mounted between the outer textile (11) and the lining (12), said garment   (10) being characterized in that said insert (13) is a waterproof fireproof composite textile (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, the first layer   (2) of said composite textile (1) being placed opposite the lining (12).   17. Garment according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the lining or the insert (13) is mounted flywheel.