Flame retardant fiber blends comprising flame retardant cellulosic 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 flame retardant cellulosic 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 flame retardant cellulosic staple fiber, and 5 to 30 parts by weight of at least one polyamide staple fiber.  
     
     
         2 . 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 flame retardant cellulosic staple fiber, and 15 to 20 parts by weight of the at least one polyamide staple fiber.  
     
     
         3 . 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.  
     
     
         4 . The intimate blend of  claim 2 , 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 1 , wherein the at least one aramid staple fiber is poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide) and the at least one flame retardant cellulosic staple fiber is flame retardant rayon.  
     
     
         6 . The intimate blend of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one aramid staple fiber is poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide) and the at least one flame retardant cellulosic staple fiber is flame retardant rayon.  
     
     
         7 . The intimate blend of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aramid staple fiber is poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide) and the at least one flame retardant cellulosic staple fiber comprises silicon dioxide in the form of polysilicic acid in a cellulose supporting structure and the silicon dioxide in the form of polysilicic acid in a cellulose supporting structure is present in an amount of no more than 40 percent by weight of the intimate blend.  
     
     
         8 . The intimate blend of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one aramid staple fiber is poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide) and the at least one flame retardant cellulosic staple fiber comprises silicon dioxide in the form of polysilicic acid in a cellulose supporting structure and the silicon dioxide in the form of polysilicic acid in a cellulose supporting structure is present in an amount of no more than 40 percent by weight of the intimate blend.  
     
     
         9 . A yarn comprising the intimate blend of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . A flame retardant fabric comprising the yarn of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         11 . The flame retardant fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the flame retardant fabric has a basis weight of from 4 to 15 ounces per square yard.  
     
     
         12 . A flame retardant article of clothing comprising the flame retardant fabric of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         13 . The flame retardant fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the flame retardant fabric has a basis weight of from 5.5 to 11 ounces per square yard.  
     
     
         14 . A flame retardant article of clothing comprising the flame retardant fabric of  claim 13 .  
     
     
         15 . A yarn comprising the intimate blend of  claim 5 .  
     
     
         16 . A flame retardant fabric comprising the yarn of  claim 15 .  
     
     
         17 . The flame retardant fabric of  claim 16 , wherein the flame retardant fabric has a basis weight of from 4 to 15 ounces per square yard.  
     
     
         18 . A flame retardant article of clothing comprising the flame retardant fabric of  claim 17 .  
     
     
         19 . The flame retardant fabric of  claim 16 , wherein the flame retardant fabric has a basis weight of from 5.5 to 11 ounces per square yard.  
     
     
         20 . A flame retardant article of clothing comprising the flame retardant fabric of  claim 19.