Flame retardant fiber blends comprising modacrylic fibers and fabrics and garments made therefrom

Abstract

An intimate blend of staple fibers has from 10 to 75 parts by weight of at least one aramid staple fiber, from 15 to 80 parts by weight of at least one modacrylic staple fiber, and from 5 to 30 parts by weight of at least one polyamide staple fiber. The intimate blend of staple fibers provides yarns and fabrics that are flame retardant, also referred to as fire resistant, and can be used to make flame retardant articles, such as clothing. The flame retardant fabrics may have a basis weight from 4 to 15 ounces per square yard.

1 . An intimate blend of staple fibers, comprising: 10 to 75 parts by weight of at least one aramid staple fiber, 15 to 80 parts by weight of at least one modacrylic staple fiber, and 5 to 30 parts by weight of at least one polyamide staple fiber.  
     
     
         2 . The intimate blend of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one modacrylic staple fiber further comprises an antimony compound.  
     
     
         3 . The intimate blend of  claim 1 , wherein there are 20 to 40 parts by weight of the at least one aramid staple fiber, 50 to 80 parts by weight of the at least one modacrylic staple fiber, and 15 to 20 parts by weight of the at least one polyamide staple fiber.  
     
     
         4 . The intimate blend of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aramid staple fiber is selected from the group consisting of para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The intimate blend of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one aramid staple fiber is selected from the group consisting of para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The intimate blend of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aramid staple fiber is poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide) and the at least one modacrylic fiber is a copolymer of acrylonitrile and vinylidene chloride.  
     
     
         7 . The intimate blend of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one aramid staple fiber is poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide) and the at least one modacrylic fiber is a copolymer of acrylonitrile and vinylidene chloride.  
     
     
         8 . A yarn comprising the intimate blend of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         9 . A flame retardant fabric comprising the yarn of  claim 8 .  
     
     
         10 . The flame retardant fabric of  claim 9 , wherein the flame retardant fabric has a basis weight of from 4 to 15 ounces per square yard.  
     
     
         11 . A flame retardant article of clothing comprising the flame retardant fabric of  claim 10 .  
     
     
         12 . The flame retardant fabric of  claim 9 , wherein the flame retardant fabric has a basis weight of from 5.5 to 11 ounces per square yard.  
     
     
         13 . A flame retardant article of clothing comprising the flame retardant fabric of  claim 12 .  
     
     
         14 . A yarn comprising the intimate blend of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         15 . A flame retardant fabric comprising the yarn of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         16 . The flame retardant fabric of  claim 15 , wherein the flame retardant fabric has a basis weight of from 4 to 15 ounces per square yard.  
     
     
         17 . A flame retardant article of clothing comprising the flame retardant fabric of  claim 16 .  
     
     
         18 . The flame retardant fabric of  claim 15 , wherein the flame retardant fabric has a basis weight of from 5.5 to 11 ounces per square yard.  
     
     
         19 . A flame retardant article of clothing comprising the flame retardant fabric of  claim 18.