Multi-layer protective fabrics
View Patent ↗A multi-layer protective fabric includes a thin urethane film, a flame-retardant fibrous layer, and a flame-retardant micro-porous layer. The film includes flame retardant additives, blocks a liquid chemical from passing through it, and breathes by an adsorption/de-sorption process to permit water vapor to pass through it. The fibrous layer is bonded on one surface of the film. The urethane layer is bonded on the other surface of the film.
1. A multi-layer protective fabric comprising a breathable barrier film that blocks a liquid chemical from passing through it and breathes by an adsorption/de-sorption process that permits water vapor to pass though it, the film being thinner than 1 mil and containing a fire retardant component, and layers bonded on both sides of the film by fire retardant adhesive.
2. A multi-layer protective fabric comprising
a thin urethane film that includes flame retardant additives, blocks a liquid chemical from passing through it, and breathes by an adsorption/de-sorption process to permit water vapor to pass through it,
a flame-retardant fibrous layer bonded on one surface of the film, and
a flame-retardant micro-porous layer bonded on the other surface of the film.
3. The fabric of claim 2 in which the urethane film has a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 1 mils.
4. The fabric of claim 2 in which the urethane film is about 0.2 mils thick.
5. The fabric of claim 2 further comprising adhesive that bonds the urethane film to at least one of the fibrous layer or the micro-porous layer.
6. The fabric of claim 5 in which the adhesive is distributed in a pattern in which at least 75% of the film is free of adhesive.
7. The fabric of claim 5 in which the adhesive contains flame-retardant components.
8. The fabric of claim 6 in which the adhesive is distributed in a pattern in which at least 85% of the film is free of adhesive.
9. The fabric of claim 15 in which the adhesive is distributed in a pattern in which at least 90% of the film is free of adhesive.
10. The fabric of claim 2 in which the fibrous layer comprises at least one of aramid fibers or polybenzimidazole fibers.
11. The fabric of claim 2 in which the micro-porous layer comprises flame-retardant components.
12. The fabric of claim 2 in which the urethane film has a thickness in the range of 0.15 to 0.25 mils.
13. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the barrier film has a weight per square meter of less than 2.5 grams.
14. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the fabric meets the NFPA flame retardancy requirements.
15. The fabric of claim 1 in which the barrier film has a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 1 mils.
16. The fabric of claim 1 in which the barrier film is about 0.2 mils thick.
17. The fabric of claim 1 further comprising adhesive that bonds the barrier film to at least one of the fibrous layer or the micro-porous layer.
18. The fabric of claim 17 in which the adhesive is distributed in a pattern in which at least 75% of the film is free of adhesive.
19. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the barrier film is non-porous.
20. The fabric of claim 2 wherein the urethane film is non-porous.
21. A multi-layer fabric comprising
a urethane film including flame-retardant additives, the film having a thickness in the range of 0.15 to 0.25 mils, that blocks a liquid chemical from passing through it, and breathes by an adsorption/de-sorption process that permits water vapor to pass though it,
a flame-retardant fibrous layer bonded on one surface of the film by a flame-retardant adhesive arranged in a pattern in which at least 75% of the film is free of adhesive, and
a flame-retardant micro-porous layer bonded on the other surface of the film by a flame-retardant adhesive arranged in a pattern in which at least 75% of the film is free of adhesive.
22. A multi-layer fabric comprising
a sandwich comprising
a core having a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 mil, the core being impenetrable by a liquid chemical and breathable to water vapor, and
fire-retardant layers bonded one on each side of the core, at least one of the fire-retardant layers being penetrable by the liquid chemical, impenetrable by water, and breathable to water vapor.
23. The fabric of claim 22 in which the core is about 0.2 mils thick.
24. The fabric of claim 22 further comprising adhesive that bonds the core to at least one of the fire retardent layers.
25. The fabric of claim 24 in which the adhesive is distributed in a pattern in which at least 75% of the film is free of adhesive.
26. The fabric of claim 24 in which the adhesive contains flame-retardant components.
27. The fabric of claim 22 in which the fibrous layer comprises at least one of aramid fibers or polybenzimidazole fibers.
28. A fire fighting garment comprising
a sandwich comprising
a core having a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 mil, the core being impenetrable by a liquid chemical and breathable to water vapor, and
fire-retardant layers bonded one on each side of the core, at least one of the fire-retardant layers being penetrable by the liquid chemical, impenetrable by water, and breathable to water vapor.
29. The fire-fighting garment of claim 28 wherein the core includes a fire retardant additive.
30. The garment of claim 28 in which the core is about 0.2 mils thick.
31. The garment of claim 28 further comprising adhesive that bonds the core to at least one of the fire retardent layers.
32. The garment of claim 31 in which the adhesive is distributed in a pattern in which at least 75% of the film is free of adhesive.
33. The garment of claim 31 in which the adhesive contains flame-retardant components.
34. The garment of claim 28 in which the fibrous layer comprises at least one of aramid fibers or polybenzimidazole fibers.