Flame and heat resistant stretch fabrics with improved chemical resistance and durability

Abstract

The present invention relates to flame and heat resistant stretch fabrics with improved durability. The stretch fabrics comprise crosslinked polyolefin elastic fibers which may be combined into a core spun yarn with inherently flame resistant fibers. The elastic fibers or yarns can be conveniently formed into fabrics using well-known techniques such as, for example, warp or weft weaving or by using co-knitting techniques with other flame resistant fibers or yarns. Such fabrics are useful in various durable or repeated-use fabric applications such as, but not limited to, clothing (in particular protective garments), and upholstery.

1 . A process of making a durable stretch flame or heat resistant article comprising a) selecting an elastic fiber comprising a crosslinked polyolefin; and b) combining the fiber of step (a) with one or more inherently flame resistant fibers to make an article. 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the crosslinked polyolefin is a crosslinked homogeneously branched ethylene polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the crosslinked homogeneously branched ethylene polymer is used as a core in a core spun yarn prior to step (b). 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the outer covering of the core spun yarn is a fiber having inherently flame and/or beat resistant properties. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the outer covering comprises polyamide fiber. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the polyamide fiber is an aramid fiber. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the inherently flame resistant fibers of step (b) comprise polyamide fibers. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the inherently flame resistant fibers of step (b) comprise aramid fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1  wherein step (b) further comprises combining a static dissipating fiber. 
     
     
         10 . A durable elastic flame and/or heat resistant article comprising an elastic fiber comprising a crosslinked polyolefin; and inherently flame resistant fibers. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 10  wherein the crosslinked polyolefin is a homogeneously branched ethylene polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 10  characterized in that said article will exhibit growth of less than 20 percent after 50 cycles of industrial laundering at temperatures at least about 65° C. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 12  wherein the growth is less than 10 percent. 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 13  wherein the growth is less than 8 percent. 
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 10  wherein the article is a woven or knitted fabric. 
     
     
         16 . A garment made from the fabric of  claim 15 . 
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 10  wherein the inherently flame resistant fibers comprise polyamide fibers. 
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 10  further comprising static dissipating fibers. 
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 18  wherein the static dissipating fibers are metallic or carbon fibers. 
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 10  wherein the article exhibits at least one of the following tests: a) response to flame propagation, upon direct exposure to flame, graded as A grade as per DIN EN 531:02.95 standard norm (DIN ISO15025:02.03 standard testing method); b) heat transmission on exposure to flame performances graded as B1 grade or higher (B2,B3, B4 or B5) as per DIN EN 531:02.95 standard norm (DIN EN 367:11.92 standard testing method); or c) heat transmission on exposure to radiant heat graded as C1 or higher (C2, C3, or C4), as per DIN EN 531:02.95 standard norm (DIN EN 366:05.93 standard testing method). 
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 20  wherein the article meets all of the tests.