Flame Retardant Fabric: All You Need to Know

Flame-retardant fabrics are those that have been treated with chemicals to resist ignition and prevent the spread of flames. These fabrics are often used in clothing and upholstery, as well as in industrial and commercial settings. 

Common flame-retardant fabrics include FR cotton, polyester, nylon, Modacrylic, Nomex, kevlar, etc.

FR cotton is a fabric that has been treated with fire retardant chemicals to help reduce the risk of fire. This fabric is commonly used in bedding such as duvets, pillows, blankets, and other similar products. It can also be found in clothing such as jeans or t-shirts. It also has excellent fire resistance properties which make it ideal for use in high-risk industries such as aviation.

Polyester is a synthetic fiber made from polymers (chemical compounds) derived from oil and gas feedstocks that are treated with chemicals to make them flame resistant. Polyester can be made flame resistant with Firemaster® FR Polyester Chemical Treatment or Firemaster® FR Polyester Chemical Treatment Plus.

Nylon is a synthetic polymer material made from petroleum byproducts. It is used as a fabric that is strong yet lightweight. It also has excellent durability properties and can be used in many different ways from clothing to packaging materials. Nylon can be made flame resistant through the use of additives such as Carbon Black and other organic compounds that help prevent burning when exposed to high heat conditions (over 500 degrees F).

Modacrylic is a synthetic fiber that closely resembles acrylic. Modacrylic fibers are very durable, but they lack many of the properties necessary for flame retardant treatments. In fact, modacrylic cloth cannot be treated with chemicals that inhibit combustion or reduce flammability because it lacks the necessary chemical bonds on its surface and inside its structure. Modacrylic fabrics must be combined with other materials to create flame-retardant clothing.

Nomex is a synthetic fiber that was developed by DuPont in 1969 as an alternative to Kevlar, which became popular during World War II when it was used to make bulletproof vests for soldiers. it was introduced by DuPont as a replacement for Nylon 6/6 polymers that were being phased out due to health concerns (again). Nomex has become increasingly popular among firefighters because it provides superior protection against heat and flames while being lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day long without becoming overheated or uncomfortable.

Kevlar is a heat-resistant, strong, and stiff synthetic fiber. It was invented by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont in 1965. Because of its high strength-to-weight ratio, Kevlar has been increasingly used in applications where it is important that a product has a high strength-to-weight ratio. Examples include body armor and racing sails.