Modacrylic/aramid fiber blends for arc and flame protection and reduced shrinkage
View Patent ↗A yarn, fabric and garment suitable for use in arc and flame protection contains modacrylic, p-aramid and m-aramid fibers wherein the m-aramid fibers have a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%.
1. A yarn for use in arc and flame protection comprising:
(a) 40 to 70 weight percent modacrylic fiber,
(b) 5 to 20 weight percent p-aramid fiber and
(c) 10 to 40 weight percent m-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%,
said percentages on the basis of components (a) (b) and (c).
2. The yarn of claim 1 comprising:
(a) 55 to 65 weight percent modacrylic fiber
(b) 5 to 15 weight percent p-aramid fiber and
(c) 20 to 35 weight percent m-aramid fiber.
3. The yarn of claim 1 which additionally contains (d) an abrasion resistant fiber.
4. The yarn of claim 3 wherein the abrasion resistant fiber is present in an amount of 2 to 15 weight percent on the basis of components (a), (b), (c) and (d).
5. The yarn of claim 3 wherein the abrasion resistant fiber is nylon.
6. The yarn of claim 1 which additionally contains an anti-static component.
7. The yarn of claim 6 wherein the anti-static component is present in an amount of 1 to 5 weight percent of the total yarn.
8. The yarn of claim 6 wherein the anti-static component comprises carbon or metal fiber.
9. The yarn of claim 8 wherein the anti-static component comprises carbon.
10. The yarn of claim 1 with the m-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity in a range from 20 to 50%.
11. The yarn of claim 1 having a shrinkage of about 0% after 10 wash cycles.
12. A fabric suitable for use in arc and flame protection comprising:
a yarn the yarn further comprising
(a) 40 to 70 weight percent modacrylic fiber,
(b) 5 to 20 weight percent p-aramid fiber and,
(c) 10 to 40 weight percent m-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%,
said percentages on the basis of components (a) (b) and (c).
13. The fabric of claim 12 wherein the yarn comprises;
(a) 55 to 65 weight percent modacrylic fiber
(b) 5 to 15 weight percent p-aramid fiber and
(c) 20 to 35 weight percent m-aramid fiber.
14. The fabric of claim 12 which additionally comprises (d) an abrasion resistant fiber.
15. The fabric of claim 14 wherein the abrasion resistant fiber is present in an amount of 2 to 15 weight percent on the basis of components (a), (b), (c) and (d).
16. The fabric of claim 14 wherein the abrasion resistant fiber is nylon.
17. The fabric of claim 12 which additionally contains an anti-static component.
18. The fabric of claim 12 which has a char length according to ASTM D-6413-99 of less than 6 inches.
19. The fabric of claim 12 which has arc resistance according to ASTM F-1959-99 of at least 0.8 calories per square centimeter per opsy.
20. The fabric of claim 19 wherein the arc resistance is at least 1.2 calories per square centimeter per opsy.
21. The fabric of claim 12 wherein the m-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity in a range from 20 to 50%.
22. The yarn of claim 1 having a shrinkage of 0% after 10 wash cycles.
23. A garment suitable for use in arc and flame protection:
(a) 40 to 70 weight percent modacrylic fiber,
(b) 5 to 20 weight percent p-aramid fiber and
(c) 10 to 40 weight percent m-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%,
said percentages on the basis of components (a) (b) and (c).