SEDL / STP / STP989-EB / STP26277S

Measuring the Protective Insulation of Fabrics in Hot Surface Contact

Barker, RL
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Stamper, SK
General Motors Corporation, Warren, MI

Shalev, I
Shenkar College of Textile Technology and Fashion, Ramat-Gan,

Pages: 14    Published: Jan 1988

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Abstract

This research demonstrates procedures useful in measuring the ability of fabrics to block heat transfer when in contact with a hot surface. Experiments show how the temperature of the contacting surface, contact pressure, and fabric moisture content affect protective insulation in conductive tests. Single-layer fabrics made with flame-resistant cotton, rayon, and wool; glass fabrics, ceramic fabrics; and fabrics from aramids, novoloids, modacrylic, and stabilized acrylic fibers are evaluated. Statistical methods show the correlation between measured fabric properties and insulative values. An analytical model is developed that predicts a burn protection index from simple measurement of fabric thickness.