Modacrylic/cotton/aramid fiber blends for arc and flame protection

Abstract

Yarns, fabrics and garments contain modacrylic, cotton and aramid fibers.

1 . A yarn suitable to provide arc and flame protection comprising: 
 (a) 40 to 75 weight percent modacrylic fiber,    (b) 10 to 40 weight percent cotton fiber and    (c) 1 to 40 weight percent aramid fiber,    said percentages on the basis of components (a), (b) and (c).    
     
     
         2 . The yarn of  claim 1  comprising: 
 (a) 45 to 60 weight percent modacrylic fiber    (b) 15 to 35 weight percent cotton fiber and    (c) 5 to 30 weight percent aramid fiber.    
     
     
         3 . The yarn of  claim 1  where the fiber includes both para- and meta-aramid fiber.  
     
     
         4 . The yarn of  claim 3  wherein the para-aramid fiber is present in a range from 20 to 40 weight percent and the meta-aramid fiber is present in a range from 60 to 80 weight percent on a basis of total aramid fiber.  
     
     
         5 . The yarn of  claim 4  wherein the para-aramid fiber is present in a range from 25 to 35 weight percent and the meta-aramid fiber is present in a range from 65 to 75 weight percent.  
     
     
         6 . The yarn of  claim 5  which additionally contains an anti-static component.  
     
     
         7 . The yarn of  claim 6  wherein the anti-static component is carbon or metal.  
     
     
         8 . The yarn of  claim 7  wherein the anti-static component is carbon.  
     
     
         9 . The yarn of  claim 1  which additionally contains an anti-static component.  
     
     
         10 . The yarn of  claim 9  wherein the anti-static component is carbon.  
     
     
         11 . A fabric suitable to provide an arc and thermal protection comprising: 
 (a) 40 to 75 weight percent modacrylic fiber,    (b) 10 to 40 weight percent cotton fiber and    (c) 1 to 40 weight percent aramid fiber,    said percentages on the basis of components (a), (b) and (c).    
     
     
         12 . The fabric of  claim 11  comprising: 
 (a) 45 to 60 weight percent modacrylic fiber    (b) 15 to 35 weight percent cotton fiber and    (c) 5 to 30 weight percent aramid fiber.    
     
     
         13 . The fabric of  claim 11  wherein the char length according to ASTM D-6413-99 is less than 6 inches.  
     
     
         14 . The fabric of  claim 11  wherein the char length according to ASTM D-6413-99 is less than 4.5 inches.  
     
     
         15 . The fabric of  claim 11  wherein the fabric includes fibers of para- and meta-aramid.  
     
     
         16 . The fabric of  claim 15  wherein para-aramid fiber is present in a range from 20 to 40 weight percent and meta-aramid fiber is present in a range from 60 to 80 weight percent on a basis of total aramid fiber.  
     
     
         17 . The fabric of  claim 16  wherein the para-aramid fiber is present in a range from 25 to 35 weight percent and the meta-aramid fiber is present in a range from 65 to 75 weight percent.  
     
     
         18 . The fabric of  claim 11  which additionally contains an anti-static component.  
     
     
         19 . A garment suitable to provide arc and thermal protection: 
 (a) 40 to 75 weight percent modacrylic fiber,    (b) 10 to 40 weight percent cotton fiber and    (c) 1 to 40 weight percent aramid fiber,    said percentages on the basis of components (a) (b) and (c).    
     
     
         20 . The garment of  claim 16  comprising: 
 (a) 45 to 60 weight percent modacrylic fiber    (b) 15 to 35 weight percent cotton fiber and    (c) 5 to 30 weight percent aramid fiber.