Blended outer shell fabrics

Abstract

The present disclose relates to blended outer shell fabrics. In one embodiment, an outer shell fabric for use in firefighter turnout gear includes a plurality of yarns that comprise at least three different types of inherently flame resistant fibers. In another embodiment, a fabric includes a blend of inherently flame resistant fibers, the blend including a plurality of para-aramid fibers, a plurality of meta-aramid fibers, and a plurality of polybenzoxazole (PBO) fibers.

1 . An outer shell fabric for use in firefighter turnout gear, the outer shell fabric comprising: 
 a plurality of yarns that comprise at least three different types of inherently flame resistant fibers.    
   
   
       2 . The outer shell fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the three different types of inherently flame resistant fibers comprise para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers, and polybenzoxazole (PBO) fibers.  
   
   
       3 . The outer shell fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises about 40% to about 70% para-aramid, about 10% to about 40% meta-aramid, and about 5% to about 30% polybenzoxazole (PBO).  
   
   
       4 . The outer shell fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises about 60% para-aramid, about 20% meta-aramid, and about 20% polybenzoxazole (PBO).  
   
   
       5 . The outer shell fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises a rip stop weave.  
   
   
       6 . The outer shell fabric of  claim 5 , wherein the rip stop weave is a two-end rip stop weave.  
   
   
       7 . The outer shell fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the yarns have yarn counts in the range of approximately 10-35 cc.  
   
   
       8 . The outer shell fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric has a weight of about 5 ounces per square yard to about 10 ounces per square yard.  
   
   
       9 . The outer shell fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric has a tensile strength in the warp direction that exceeds 200 pounds and a tensile strength in the filling direction that exceeds 175 pounds after a 7 second exposure in accordance with the thermal protective performance (TPP) test method defined in NFPA 1971, 2000 edition.  
   
   
       10 . A fabric suitable for use in firefighter turnout gear, fabric comprising: 
 a blend of inherently flame resistant fibers, the blend including: 
 a plurality of para-aramid fibers;  
 a plurality of meta-aramid fibers; and  
 a plurality of polybenzoxazole (PBO) fibers.  
   
   
   
       11 . The fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the fabric comprises about 40% to about 70% para-aramid fibers, about 10% to about 40% meta-aramid fibers, and about 5% to about 30% PBO fibers.  
   
   
       12 . The fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the fabric comprises about 60% para-aramid fibers, about 20% meta-aramid fibers, and about 20% polybenzoxazole (PBO) fibers.  
   
   
       13 . The fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the fabric comprises a rip stop weave.  
   
   
       14 . The fabric of  claim 13 , wherein the rip stop weave is a two-end rip stop weave.  
   
   
       15 . The fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the fabric comprises a plurality of yarns, each yarn including para-aramid fiber, meta-aramid fiber, and PBO fibers.  
   
   
       16 . The fabric of  claim 15 , wherein the yarns have yam counts in the range of approximately 10-35 cc.  
   
   
       17 . The fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the fabric has a weight of about-5 ounces per square yard to about 10 ounces per square yard.  
   
   
       18 . The fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the fabric has a tensile strength in the warp direction that exceeds 200 pounds and a tensile strength in the filling direction that exceeds 175 pounds after a 7 second exposure in accordance with the thermal protective performance (TPP) test method defined in NFPA 1971, 2000 edition.  
   
   
       19 . A firefighter turnout garment, the garment comprising: 
 a thermal liner that forms an interior surface of the garment;    a moisture barrier that forms an intermediate layer of the garment; and    an outer shell that forms the exterior surface of the garment, the outer shell comprising a fabric blend of inherently flame resistant fibers, the blend including para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers, and polybenzoxazole (PBO) fibers.    
   
   
       20 . The garment of  claim 19 , wherein the outer shell fabric comprises about 40% to about 70% para-aramid fibers, about 10% to about 40% meta-aramid fibers, and about 5% to about 30% PBO fibers.  
   
   
       21 . The garment of  claim 19 , wherein the outer shell fabric comprises about 60% para-aramid fibers, about 20% meta-aramid fibers, and about 20% polybenzoxazole (PBO) fibers.  
   
   
       22 . The garment of  claim 19 , wherein the outer shell fabric comprises a rip stop weave.  
   
   
       23 . The garment of  claim 22 , wherein the rip stop weave is a two-end rip stop weave.  
   
   
       24 . The garment of  claim 19 , wherein the outer shell fabric comprises a plurality of yarns, each yarn including para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers, and PBO fibers.  
   
   
       25 . The garment of  claim 24 , wherein the yarns have yarn counts in the range of approximately 10-35 cc.  
   
   
       26 . The garment of  claim 19 , wherein the outer shell fabric has a weight of about 5 ounces per square yard to about 10 ounces per square yard.  
   
   
       27 . The garment of  claim 19 , wherein the outer shell fabric has a tensile strength in the warp direction that exceeds 200 pounds and a tensile strength in the filling direction that exceeds 175 pounds after a 7 second exposure in accordance with the thermal protective performance (TPP) test method defined in NFPA 1971, 2000 edition.  
   
   
       28 . The garment of  claim 19 , wherein the garment is one of a jacket, trousers, and coveralls.