Flame resistant fabrics

Abstract

The present invention provides a woven flame resistant fabric comprising dissimilar warp and fill yarns, the warp yarns comprise staple or filament fibers and have a Limiting Oxygen Index of at least 27, and the fill yarns comprise natural fibers and wherein the ratio of warp to fill yarn ends in the fabric is at least 1.0.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A woven flame resistant fabric comprising dissimilar warp and fill yarns, the warp yarns comprise staple or filament fibers and have a Limiting Oxygen Index of at least 27, and the fill yarns comprise natural fibers and wherein the ratio of warp to fill yarn ends in the fabric is at least 1.0.  
     
     
         2 . The fabric of    claim 1    wherein the warp yarns have a Limiting Oxygen Index of 28 or more.  
     
     
         3 . The fabric of    claim 1    wherein the fibers of the warp yarns have a modulus of from about 100 to 800 g/dtex.  
     
     
         4 . The fabric of    claim 1    wherein the fibers of the warp yarn have a modulus of from 100 to about 250 g/dtex.  
     
     
         5 . The fabric of    claim 1    wherein the warp yarn comprise fibers selected from the group consisting of aramid, polybenzimidazole, polybenzoxazole, melamine, poly(phenylene sulfide),polybenzothiazoles, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyamidimides, novaloid and modacrylic fibers and the fill yarn fibers are selected from the group consisting of cotton, silk, wool, rayon and FR rayon.  
     
     
         6 . The fabric of    claim 1    wherein the fibers of the warp yarn are m-aramid or p-aramid fibers or mixtures of these fibers.  
     
     
         7 . The fabric of    claim 1    wherein the warp yarn incorporates about 5% by weight or less electrically conductive fiber.  
     
     
         8 . The fabric of    claim 6    wherein 60% by weight of the warp yarn fibers is p-aramid and 40% by weight are m-aramid fibers.  
     
     
         9 . The fabric of    claim 1    wherein the fibers of warp yarn are sulfonated para-aramid fibers and the fill yarn is cotton.  
     
     
         10 . The fabric of    claim 1    wherein the fibers of the warp yarn are m-aramid or p-aramid fibers or mixtures of these fibers and wherein the p-aramid fibers have a modulus of from 100 to not more than 200 g/dtex.  
     
     
         11 . The fabric of    claim 1    wherein the warp yarn fibers are m-aramid and the fill yarn fibers are FR rayon.  
     
     
         12 . Protective apparel comprising a woven flame resistant fabric having dissimilar warp and fill yarns, the warp yarns comprise staple or filament fibers and have a Limiting Oxygen Index of at least 27, and the fill yarns comprise natural fibers and wherein the ratio of warp to fill yarn ends in the fabric is at least 1.0.  
     
     
         13 . The protective apparel of    claim 12    wherein the woven fabric contains warp yarn fibers selected from the group consisting of aramid, polybenzimidazole, polybenzoxazole, melamine, poly(phenylene sulfide),polybenzothiazoles, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyamidimides, novaloid and modacrylic fibers and the fill yarn fibers are selected from the group consisting of cotton, silk, wool, rayon and FR rayon.  
     
     
         14 . The protective apparel of    claim 12    wherein the warp yarn fibers are m-aramid and the fill yarn fibers are FR rayon.  
     
     
         15 . The protective apparel of    claim 12    wherein the warp yarn fibers are p-aramid wherein the p-aramid fibers have a modulus of from 100 to about 250 g/dtex.  
     
     
         16 . The protective apparel of    claim 12    wherein the warp yarn further comprises about 5% by weight or less of an electrically conductive fiber.  
     
     
         17 . The protective apparel of    claim 12    wherein the warp yarns are staple fibers.  
     
     
         18 . A tarp or tent comprising the fabric according to    claim 1   .