Protective fabric and process of manufacturing same
A fabric for use in arc and flame protection, and a process for producing a fire resistant fabric are provided. The fabric includes at least 70 wt % aramid fiber; less than 40 wt % modacrylic; 8 wt % nylon; and 2 wt % anti-static. The process includes shredding recycled fire resistant garments into fibers; creating yarn from the shredded fibers; weaving the yarn into fabric; and knitting the yarn to produce new garments. The fabric may be used to produce fire-resistant garments worn by workers in many industries such as the oil and gas.
1. A process for producing a fire resistant fabric, comprising:
shredding recycled fire resistant garments into fibers such that the fibers comprise: approximately 70 weight percent (wt %) aramid fiber; approximately 20 wt % modacrylic; approximately 8 wt % nylon; and approximately 2 wt % anti-static;
creating yarn from the shredded fibers; and
weaving the yarn into the fire resistant fabric.
2. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising dry cleaning the recycled garments using a chemical solvent, prior to the shredding.
3. The process according to claim 2 , wherein chemical solvent is tetrachloroethylene.
4. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising removing non-fire resistant components from the recycled garments, prior to the shredding.
5. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the shredding is done by an industrial fabric shredder.
6. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said weaving the yarn comprises carding the shredded fabric to produce a sliver.
7. The process according to claim 6 , wherein carding is done by hundreds of wires in a carding machine.
8. The process according to claim 6 , wherein said weaving the yarn further comprises feeding the sliver through a roving machine.
9. The process according to claim 8 , wherein the sliver is twisted and elongated by the roving machine.
10. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the weaving is done using a loom.
11. The process according to claim 1 further comprising: knitting the fire resistant fabric to produce new garments.
12. The process of claim 11 , further comprising dying the fire resistant fabric.