Abstract
The chapter considers the thermophysical and thermochemical factors that underpin the understanding of the heat resistance and flammability of the whole range of textile fibres and thus how the means of generating definable levels of flame retardancy and heat and fire resistance may be achieved. This in turn relates to the means of developing designed for specified levels of technical performance.
Fibres developed for fire and heat resistance may be divided into two groups principally those used in applications where ambient service temperatures are 100oC or less and those where temperatures may be in excess of this figure and often >150oC. Fibres in the first group are usually conventional fibres such as cotton and wool which have been flame retardant treated and man-made fibres like viscose, polyester, etc., which more often than not either contain flame retardant additives or copolymeric modifications.
Fibres in the second group are often referred to a heat and flame resistant fibres and comprise either highly cross-linked or aromatic chemical structures or are wholly inorganic, yielding ceramic fibres which may resist temperatures higher than 500oC for prolonged periods.
Within both these groups, current commercial examples are described and their respective applications identified together with national or international test protocols where relevant.