Energy-absorbing textile material

1. A textile material comprising:

(a) a textile substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the textile substrate comprising a plurality of yarns, the plurality of yarns comprising a plurality of first yarns disposed in a first direction in the textile substrate and a plurality of second yarns disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first yarns and the second yarns being provided in a woven pattern selected from the group consisting of basket weaves, sateen weaves, satin weaves, rip-stop weaves, and twill weaves, the textile substrate comprising about 30% or more by weight inherent flame resistant fibers; and

(b) a finish disposed on at least one surface of the textile substrate, the finish comprising a binder and at least one energy-absorbing agent, the energy-absorbing agent being selected from the group consisting of pigments, vat dyes, and combinations thereof, wherein the energy-absorbing agent exhibits an absorbance of electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength of 1,000 nm (A 1000 ), an absorbance of electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength of 800 nm (A 800 ), an absorbance of electromagnetic radiation within the range of wavelengths from 400 nm to 700 nm, and a maximum of the absorbance of electromagnetic radiation within the range of wavelengths from 400 nm to 700 nm (A vis max ), wherein the result of A 800 /A vis max is about 0.3 or more, and wherein the result of A 1000 /A vis max is about 0.1 or more.

2. The textile material of claim 1 , wherein the first yarns and the second yarns are spun yarns.

3. The textile material of claim 2 , wherein the first yarns and the second yarns comprise meta-aramid fibers.

4. The textile material of claim 3 , wherein the first yarns and the second yarns comprise meta-aramid fibers and at least one other synthetic fiber.

5. The textile material of claim 4 , wherein the first yarns and the second yarns comprise meta-aramid fibers and para-aramid fibers.

6. The textile material of claim 1 , wherein the first yarns and the second yarns are provided in a woven pattern selected from the group consisting of a 4×1 sateen weave, a 3×1 twill weave, and a 2×1 twill weave.

7. The textile material of claim 1 , wherein the result of A 800 /A vis max is about 0.5 or more, and the result of A 1000 /A vis max is about 0.2 or more.

8. The textile material of claim 1 , wherein the energy-absorbing agent comprises a vat dye selected from the group consisting of dibenzanthrone derivatives, isobenzanthrone derivatives, and pyrazolanthrone derivatives.

9. The textile material of claim 8 , wherein the vat dye comprises at least two secondary amine groups.

10. The textile material of claim 1 , wherein the energy-absorbing agent is present in an amount of about 0.2% by weight or more, based on the weight of the textile substrate.

11. The textile material of claim 1 , wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of acrylic binders, polyurethane binders, vinyl polymer binders, vinyl copolymer binders, ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer binders, styrene butadiene rubber binders, nitrile rubber binders, natural rubber binders, neoprene rubber binders, epoxy binders, amino-resin binders, and combinations thereof.

12. A method for protecting an individual from infrared radiation that can be generated during an arc flash, the method comprising the step of positioning a textile material between an individual and an apparatus capable of producing an arc flash, the textile material comprising:

(a) a textile substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the textile substrate comprising a plurality of yarns, the plurality of yarns comprising a plurality of first yarns disposed in a first direction in the textile substrate and a plurality of second yarns disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first yarns and the second yarns being provided in a woven pattern selected from the group consisting of basket weaves, sateen weaves, satin weaves, rip-stop weaves, and twill weaves, the textile substrate comprising about 30% or more by weight inherent flame resistant fibers, and

(b) a finish disposed on at least one surface of the textile substrate, the finish comprising a binder and at least one energy-absorbing agent, the energy-absorbing agent being selected from the group consisting of pigments, vat dyes, and combinations thereof, wherein the energy-absorbing agent exhibits an absorbance of electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength of 1,000 nm (A 1000 ), an absorbance of electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength of 800 nm (A 800 ), an absorbance of electromagnetic radiation within the range of wavelengths from 400 nm to 700 nm, and a maximum of the absorbance of electromagnetic radiation within the range of wavelengths from 400 nm to 700 nm (A vis max ), wherein the result of A 800 /A vis max is about 0.3 or more, and wherein the result of A 1000 /A vis max is about 0.1 or more.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the textile material is part of a garment worn by the individual.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is capable of producing an arc flash having an incident energy of about 1.2 calories/cm 2 or more at a position at which the individual is located.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is capable of producing an arc flash having an incident energy of about 8 calories/cm 2 or more at a position at which the individual is located.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first yarns and the second yarns are spun yarns.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the first yarns and the second yarns comprise meta-aramid fibers.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first yarns and the second yarns comprise meta-aramid fibers and at least one other synthetic fiber.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first yarns and the second yarns comprise meta-aramid fibers and para-aramid fibers.

20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first yarns and the second yarns are provided in a woven pattern selected from the group consisting of a 4×1 sateen weave, a 3×1 twill weave, and a 2×1 twill weave.

21. The method of claim 12 , wherein the result of A 800 /A vis max is about 0.5 or more, and the result of A 1000 /A vis max is about 0.2 or more.

22. The method of claim 12 , wherein the energy-absorbing agent comprises a vat dye selected from the group consisting of dibenzanthrone derivatives, isobenzanthrone derivatives, and pyrazolanthrone derivatives.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the vat dye comprises at least two secondary amine groups.

24. The method of claim 12 , wherein the energy-absorbing agent is present in an amount of about 0.2% by weight or more, based on the weight of the textile substrate.

25. The method of claim 12 , wherein the binder is acrylic binders, polyurethane binders, vinyl polymer binders, vinyl copolymer binders, ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer binders, styrene butadiene rubber binders, nitrile rubber binders, natural rubber binders, neoprene rubber binders, epoxy binders, amino-resin binders, and combinations thereof.