DEVELOPING TEST METHODS FOR ASSESSING PROTECTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BARRIER FABRICS

Published

October 13, 2015

Author(s)

Shonali Nazare

Abstract

In residential upholstered furniture, the polyurethane foam (PUF) is the most flammable component. Barrier fabrics (BFs) are often used to protect PUF from heat and flames. For this purpose, the barrier fabrics are placed between the cover fabric and the polyurethane foam. Range of barrier fabrics, including variety of fiber blends, flame retarding technologies, and textile structures, are commercially available. However, the test methods for evaluating barrier fabrics have been limited only as quality control (pass/fail) tool. None of these tests provides an effective tool for screening (quantitatively) BFs. The study is focused on flammability performance of BFs as a component as well as fire behavior of composites incorporating BF component. Effects of fiber content, BF structures, and other physical properties resulting from the structure of the BFs have also been investigated. The thermal protective performance index and smoldering index has been derived from experimental data to rank barrier fabrics.

Conference Dates

October 14-16, 2015

Conference Location

Izmir

Conference Title

6th International Technical Textiles Congress, 14-16 October, 2015 ¿zmir-TÜRK¿YE

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

Barrier fabrics, upholstered furniture, fire protective performance, smoldering ignition, flammability

Citation

Nazare, S. (2015), DEVELOPING TEST METHODS FOR ASSESSING PROTECTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BARRIER FABRICS, 6th International Technical Textiles Congress, 14-16 October, 2015 ¿zmir-TÜRK¿YE, Izmir, -1 (Accessed April 23, 2024)