Inherent vs. Treated Flame Resistant Fabrics: What's the Difference?

Many workers are presented with thermal hazards such as molten metals, arc flash, hot liquids, and flame. In environments where these hazards are present, flame-resistant (FR) personal protective equipment (PPE) is of paramount importance. When selecting such gear there are many important terms that one may be confronted with. The most common distinction is inherent fabric vs. treated fabrics.

Link to Xinxing FR

A piece of protective equipment can be classified as an inherent fabric if it is woven using some percentage of a fiber that is itself chemically flame-resistant. These are generally oxidized fibers or fibers synthetically derived from petrochemicals that have been chemically altered. In such garments, the flame-resistant properties are inherently present in the fiber’s polymer structure and can never be lost due to washing the garment.

Protective equipment may be labeled as a treated fabric if fibers have been chemically treated to achieve FR properties, either before weaving or as a chemical finish on the garment. Some treated fabrics can lose their FR capabilities over time or with frequent or improper washing, although advances in the FR field have produced treated fabrics that retain their protective qualities for the entire lifetime of the product. The first such treated fabric was introduced in , and the difference in efficacy between treated and inherent FR fabrics has been shrinking ever since. Even so, many purchasers of FR equipment turn instead to inherent fabrics or inherently flame retardant fabric due to the ongoing misconception that all treated FR garments will lose their protective properties over time.

Inherent vs. Heat Treated Fabrics

Heat-treated fabrics are materials made from the addition of flame-retardant chemicals to provide some level of flame resistance. The additive forms a strong bond with the polymer of the fiber, which is often itself not flame-resistant. This bond is difficult or impossible to remove when proper laundering and care is applied. One potential pitfall of such gear is that there is no way to visually inspect that the FR quality of the equipment is intact. If outside the useful lifetime of the equipment, or if improperly laundered, the FR qualities may be reduced or removed with almost no way to determine that this has happened.

This problem is not present with inherent FR fabrics, as the chemical properties of the fibers themselves cannot be washed out. This may cause inherent fabrics to sell at higher costs since they typically offer longer useful lifetimes. Since there is no regulatory body governing the use of this term, however, it has often been applied loosely—often to garments containing no more than 15% FR fibers blended with naturally flammable fibers. Some garments that are woven of natural fibers treated before the weaving process have even been marketed as inherent, so to some extent, the term has lost meaning.

Inherent FR Fabrics: Pros and Cons

The primary advantages of inherent FR fabrics include:

• High level of protection from thermal hazards
• Often present higher thermal protective performance (TPP) scores than treated fabrics
• Long service life
• FR properties will never wash out
• Garments will not ignite in normal O2 concentrations
• May char or expand (typically garments created with oxidized fibers) to provide increased thermal resistance under continuous exposure to a thermal hazard
• Lightweight

The most notable disadvantages of inherent FR fabrics include:

• Higher upfront cost (albeit offset by longer useful lifetime)
• Purportedly less comfortable than some treated fabrics of cotton or other cellulosic origins
• Inconsistency in application of the term ‘inherent fabric’ or ‘inherently flame retardant fabric’ that is often driven by marketing motives, rather than science and metrics relating to performance

Treated FR Fabrics: Pros and Cons

Here are some of the primary advantages of treated FR fabrics:

• Cheaper than most inherent garments
• Many available treated fabrics now provide life-of-garment FR protection
• Generally considered more comfortable
• Many available treated fabrics now only char similar to inherent fabrics, rather than combusting when exposed to a heat source
• Most treated fabrics will spontaneously extinguish a flame when the source of heat is removed

The largest disadvantages of treated fabrics include:

• Some treated fabrics will lose their protective qualities over time
• Some treated fabrics off-gas as a method of flame retardancy, producing harmful gases that in some cases include gaseous cyanide
• Many treated fabrics use increased mass as a means of increasing FR metrics such as TPP, which can increase heat strain and decrease comfort when wearing a heavier garment for extended periods
• Some 88% cotton, 12% nylon (88/12 FR) and 100% cotton blends, in particular, lose their protective qualities over time with even proper laundering
• If the flame-resistant capabilities have diminished, there is no way to tell upon visual inspection

Tex Tech: The Industry Leaders in FR Fabric Technology

Even with an understanding of the differences and usages of terms such as treated and inherent, the key factor is ultimately the safety and protective value offered to the wearer. In this regard, a more important distinction is proven vs. unproven. Tex Tech and our CarbonX brand have repeatedly proven effective in laboratory testing, as well as in the field—all with the added benefits of comfort and affordability. We work primarily with inherent fabrics.

• CarbonX’s range hoods, gloves, undergarments, and other protective garments for industrial, motor-racing, and firefighting are superior in comfort and durability and made with inherent FR fibers.
• Tex Tech provides aircraft seat fire blocking with only inherent fibers—and nothing else blended in—that lasts for many years on an airplane
• Tex Tech offers high-tech Thermal Protection System (TPS) fabrics and materials for space launch vehicles to withstand rocket burn and the thermal stresses of re-entry

Tex Tech Industries has been a leader in the advanced textile industry for over a century. Throughout this time, we have devoted enormous resources to research and development in the areas of textile and fiber solutions. We have pioneered more than 7,000 of the best performing products in the marketplace and a wide range of high-performance materials.

We provide innovative solutions for all individual fabric requirements, backed with best-in-class customer service. We invite you to contact our experienced material scientists to discuss how to discuss how Tex Tech can provide the material solutions you need.

What is Flame Retardant Fabric?

A flame retardant fabric is a material that contains chemicals to reduce its flammability. It means that the fabric will not catch fire easily and can withstand high temperatures without catching fire. The main purpose of using this type of fabric is to prevent injury or death from fires by slowing down the spread of flames and giving you time to escape safely.

History of Flame Retardant Fabric

The history of flame resistant fabrics is a long and complicated one. The first known use of fire-retardant chemicals dates back to the s, when manufacturers began adding bromine compounds to their fabrics. These early attempts at creating flame-resistant clothing were not very effective; however, they did lay the groundwork for future developments in this field.
In the s and s, scientists began experimenting with phosphorus compounds as well as other chemical additives that would help prevent burning or charring in case of a fire accident. During this time period, many different types of fabrics were developed with varying degrees of success--some worked better than others depending on what kind of material they were made from (for example: wool vs cotton).

Types of FR Fabric

There are three types of flame retardant fabric:

1. Natural
2. Synthetic
3. Blended.

Uses of Flame Retardant Fabric

For more Fire Retardant Cotton Fabricinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Flame retardant fabrics are used in a variety of products, including Flame retardant workwear, bedding and furnishings. They're also found in automotive applications such as seat covers and headrests.

Advantages of Flame Retardant Fabric

Flame retardant fabrics are a great option for anyone who wants to ensure that their clothing is fire-safe. They're also durable and cost effective, which means you can use them in your home or office without breaking the bank.

Fire Safety: Fire retardant fabrics are designed to resist catching on fire, which makes them ideal for use in areas where there is a high risk of fires occurring (such as kitchens).

Durability: These types of materials tend to be more durable than other options because they're made from stronger fibers like nylon or polyester that won't tear easily when exposed to rough surfaces like concrete floors or metal tables.

Cost-Effectiveness: Since these types of materials don't require special treatment before being used as part of an item like clothing, they tend not only save money but also time spent washing clothes every week!

Disadvantages of Flame Retardant Fabric

There are a few disadvantages to flame retardant fabrics. First, they can be uncomfortable to wear because they're stiffer than regular fabrics. This can make them less attractive as clothing options and limit your ability to choose from a wide range of colors and styles.
Second, some people have reported health issues related to exposure over time (such as headaches or difficulty breathing). These effects may be more pronounced in those who have pre-existing conditions like asthma or allergies; however, it's important for anyone who wears these types of clothes regularly--especially children--to take precautions against overexposure by washing them frequently (at least once every two weeks) and avoiding contact with other flammable materials like candles or cigarettes while wearing them.

Care and Maintenance of Flame Retardant Fabric

Washing
It is recommended that you wash your flame retardant clothes in cold water and tumble dry on low heat. This will help to prevent shrinkage and fading of the colors in your clothes. If you wish to hand wash them, make sure that you use gentle detergents as harsh ones may damage the fabric.

Drying
Flame retardant fabrics should be dried on a line or flat surface instead of being hung up in an enclosed space like a closet where they could get dusty and dirty over time from being stored there too long without being worn often enough by the owner who bought them originally!

Where to Buy Flame Retardant Fabric

Flame retardant fabric can be purchased from a number of different sources. Here are some of the most common places to buy flame retardant fabric:

Retailers - You can find flame retardant fabrics at your local fabric store, which may or may not have an online presence. These stores tend to offer a limited selection of products and often have higher prices than other options on this list.

Online Stores - There are many online retailers that specialize in selling high-quality merchandise at low prices. These sites often offer free shipping as well as discounts when you buy multiple items at once (which is something we recommend doing if you're looking for something specific). One example would be DROTEX, which offers free fabric sample

How to Choose the Right Flame Retardant Fabric

There are several factors to consider when choosing the right flame retardant fabric, including:

Fabric Type - The first thing you'll want to do is determine what type of fabric you want your garment made from. Different fabrics have different properties and uses, so it's important to know which one will best suit your needs. For example, if you're looking for something soft and comfortable but also durable enough for everyday use, then cotton may be the best option for you. On the other hand, if durability isn't as important as comfort and breathability (for example), then polyester might be better suited for this purpose instead.

Quality - Another factor worth considering when purchasing any type of clothing is its quality--especially when it comes to buying something that has been treated with fire retardants! This means ensuring that all materials used in construction meet certain standards set forth by international organizations such as Oeko-Tex Standard 100 or ISO : certification standards; otherwise there could be harmful chemicals present within those products' fabrics which could cause skin irritation or allergic reactions over time (not ideal!).

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Flame Retardant Knit Fabric.