Fabric and yarn for protective garments

Abstract

The present invention is a yarn or fabric useful in protective garments. The yarn or fabric is made of flame resistant fibers and microdenier flame resistant fibers. The flame resistant fibers are selected from the group consisting of inherently flame resistant fibers, treated fibers, and combinations thereof. The microdenier flame resistant fibers are selected from the group consisting of microdenier inherently flame resistant fibers, microdenier treated fibers, and combinations thereof. The weight ratio of said flame resistant fibers to said microdenier flame resistant fibers is in the range of 4-9:2-6.

That which is claimed:  
     
         1 . A yarn or fabric for use in protective garments comprising: 
 flame resistant fibers selected from the group consisting of inherently flame resistant fibers, treated fibers, and combinations thereof,    microdenier flame resistant fibers selected from the group consisting of microdenier inherently flame resistant fibers, microdenier treated fibers, and combinations thereof, and    a weight ratio of said flame resistant fibers to said microdenier flame resistant fibers being in the range of 4-9:2-6.    
     
     
         2 . The yarn or fabric of  claim 1  wherein said inherently flame resistant fibers being selected from the group consisting of aramids, polyamide imides, melamines, polybenzimidazoles, polyimides, polyphenylene benzodisoxazoles, polyphenylene sulfides, polyether ketones, polyetherether ketones, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The yarn or fabric of  claim 1  wherein said microdenier flame resistant fiber having a diameter of less than 10 microns.  
     
     
         4 . The yarn or fabric of  claim 1  wherein said flame resistant fibers further comprise a blend of inherently flame resistant fibers and treated fibers.  
     
     
         5 . The yarn or fabric of  claim 4  wherein said weight ratio of inherently flame resistant fibers:microdenier flame resistant fibers:treated fibers is in the range of 1-3:2-6:3-6.  
     
     
         6 . A yarn for use in industrial protective garments and having good thermal barrier properties, durability and comfort ratings comprising: 
 10-30% by weight of the yarn an inherently flame resistant fiber;    20-60% by weight of the yarn a microdenier aramid fiber; and      30 -60% by weight of the yarn a treated fiber.    
     
     
         7 . The yarn of  claim 6  wherein said inherently flame resistant fiber being 15-25% by weight of the yarn.  
     
     
         8 . The yarn of  claim 6  wherein said inherently flame resistant fiber being selected from the group consisting of aramids, polyamide imides, melamines, polybenzimidazoles, polyimides, polyphenylene benzodisoxazoles, polyphenylene sulfides, polyether ketones, polyetherether ketones, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The yarn of  claim 8  wherein said fiber being a polybenzimidazole.  
     
     
         10 . The yarn of  claim 6  wherein said microdenier aramid fiber being 45-55% by weight of the yarn.  
     
     
         11 . The yarn of  claim 6  wherein said treated fiber being 25-35% by weight of the yarn.  
     
     
         12 . The yarn of  claim 11  wherein said treated fiber being a FR cellulosic.  
     
     
         13 . The yarn of  claim 12  wherein said FR cellulosic being a FR rayon.  
     
     
         14 . The yarn of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 15-25% by weight of the yarn being a PBI staple;  
 45-55% by weight of the yarn being a microdenier aramid staple; and  
 25-35% by weight of the yarn being a FR rayon.  
 
     
     
         15 . A fabric for use in industrial protective garments and having good thermal barrier properties, durability and comfort ratings comprising: 
 10-30% by weight of the fabric an inherently flame resistant fiber,    20-60% by weight of the fabric a microdenier aramid fiber; and    30-60% by weight of the fabric a treated fiber.    
     
     
         16 . The fabric of  claim 15  wherein said inherently flame resistant fiber being 15-25% by weight of the fabric.  
     
     
         17 . The fabric of  claim 15  wherein said inherently flame resistant fiber being selected from the group consisting of aramids, polyamide imides, melamines, polybenzimidazoles, polyimides, polyphenylene benzodisoxazoles, polyphenylene sulfides, polyether ketones, polyetherether ketones, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The fabric of  claim 17  wherein said faber being a polybenzimidazole.  
     
     
         19 . The fabric of  claim 15  wherein said microdenier aramid fiber being 45-55% by weight of the fabric.  
     
     
         20 . The fabric of  claim 15  wherein said treated fiber being 25-35% by weight of the fabric.  
     
     
         21 . The fabric of  claim 20  wherein said treated fiber being a FR cellulosic.  
     
     
         22 . The fabric of  claim 21  wherein said FR cellulosic being a FR rayon.  
     
     
         23 . The fabric of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 15-25% by weight of the fabric being a PBI staple;  
 45-55% by weight of the fabric being a microdenier aramid fiber; and  
 25-35% by weight of the fabric being a FR rayon.