SubscribeBest Performance With LENZING FR® 50/50 BLENDS!
"Which garments provide the best protection against heat and flames?" This question is frequently posed by Fire Fighters and 'Decision Makers specifying Personal Protective Clothing (PPC). Because there are so many products on the market, it is not easy to decide which fabrics will best meet these critical requirements.
All physical activities require strength and movement. This movement produces heat and heat, coming from the body, naturally results in moisture and perspiration. To keep the body at an optimal temperature, allowing for optimal performance, PPC must wick moisture away from the skin.
THE PROCESS:
PPC lifts and absorbs wetness, transporting moisture away from the skin and supports the evaporation of perspiration.
"...PPC (Personal Protective Clothing) should not only be protective- it should be functional as well...!"
Research has proven, that using functional PPC increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the wearer. Having a dry and comfortable feeling on ones skin enhances ones performance. Clothing which does not take these factors into consideration can lead to fatigue or mental distraction of the wearer increasing the probability of occupational injuries - not to mention the possibility of heat stroke resulting from heat stress. Ignoring these factors can create a hazardous situation for both- the individual and their team.
Using and understanding the fibres and their properties
Any PPC coming into contact with fire or heat must be flame resistant, but it must also be comfortable and able to absorb and transport moisture. Functional clothing consists of two fibre components, one which absorbs and holds wetness away from the skin and one, which remains dry, creating a feeling of comfort to the wearer.
Many High Performance Fibres existing on the market (Meta Aramides, Para Aramides, Polyimide, Polyamid- Imid, etc.) are used for this application. These fibres have been proven to be excellent with respect to flame resistance but their lack of moisture management properties capability limits their functionality. This should be taken into consideration, when purchasing PPC.
Some High Performance Fibers also have a high thermal conductivity decreasing thermal protection.
Especially for garments which are worn directly on the skin, such as underwear and protective HOODS functionality and heat insulation are very important issue.
For this reasons protective apparel is constructed of fiber blends. The most common fabrics on the market are blends of:
50% Lenzing FR® and
50% Aramid. (Kermel®, Conex®, oder Nomex®).
[Kermel®/LenzingFR® Garment]
Properties of BLENDS with Lenzing FR® and Aramides are:
1. Same flame resistance like 100% Aramid fabrics.
2. Better insulation against different types of heat.
3. Unmatched wearer comfort
4. Bacteria- Static
5. Durability.
6. Right Costs/Value performance.
Same flame resistance like 100% Aramid fabrics.
According to the EN ISO 15025 "Limited flame spread" and the applied classification standard EN ISO 14116, fabrics made of Lenzing FR® and Aramid blends offer the same flame resistant properties as 100% Aramides. Both products pass Code-Letter A with Index 3, which is the HIGHEST level and specified in the standard as follows:
Flame spread: No specimen shall permit any part of the lowest boudary of any flame to reach the upper or either vertical edge.
Flaming debris: No specimen shall give flaming debris
Afterglow: Any afterglow shall not spread from the carbonised area to the undamaged area after the cessation of flaming.
Hole formation: No specimen shall give hole formation.
Afterflame: The mean afterflame time of any set of six specimens shall not exceed 2 s.
Lenzing FR® the Armid enhancer!
Lenzing FR® fabrics don't shrink when exposed to heat, they improve the break open properties of 100% Aramid.
Lenzing FR® after the ISO 9151 Test (left) / 100% Aramid (Right)
Better insulation against different types of heat.
Lenzing FR® provides remarkable insulation properties. According to it's cellulosic origin, this protective clothing provides the wearer the best insulation properties against different kinds of heat (convective-, conductive-, radiant- heat), while the heat produced by the body itself and the resulting moisture can move easily through the fabric, in order to avoid fatigue and heat stress.
"...heat produced by the body itself, can move easily through the fabric, in order to avoid fatigue and heat stress!"
Unmatched wearer comfort
Independent institutes in Europe confirmed recently the remarkable properties of fabrics made with Lenzing FR® /Aramid blends.
Comfortable protective clothing starts with correct fiber slection. Moisture management, wick- ability, comfortable feeling on the skin "skin sensibility" (see upper part of the article) and ends with the construction of the garment. The best functional garments can be rejected by the wearer, if the construction is not suitable.
Bacteria Static
Lenzing FR® prevents the growth of bacteria naturally without the addition of chemical additives. Due to this unique fiber property garments with Lenzing FR® are "anti odour". With synthetic fibers on the other hand, the growth of bacteria increases up to 2000 fold compared to Lenzing FR®.
Durability:
Fabrics/Garments made with short staple Lenzing FR® fiber are durable enough to meet even the standards of military garments. For even greater durability and wear life, long staple Lenzing FR® can be used.
Right costs:
High performance fabrics are not cheap. But the PPC made of these fabrics are a small price topay for the safety of workers and potentially their life.
Lenzing FR®, High Performance- Made in Austria.
Many endusers know the different Aramid fibers like Nomex®, Conex®, Kermel® very well. Lenzing FR® is mostly the "silent" blending partner, but it is exactly this fiber that makes the fabrics so special and contributes significantly to the popularity and performance of garments made with Lenzing FR®/Aramid blends.
Fabrics made of Lenzing FR® are used for protective clothing in the Metal Industry (resist for example impacts of 1700°C hot, liquid steel, Aluminium,...), Military (Air Force Pilots, Tank drivers, Marines,...), Police and Special Forces.
Products including Lenzing FR® for Fire Fighting applications cover: Station Wear, Protective Hoods, Underwear, Polos, Pullovers, Thermal lining in Fire Fighting jackets, cuffs and lining in gloves and boots...
FR Underwear made of LenzingFR® fiber
Conclusion:
Fabrics and garments made of Lenzing FR® blends offer the wearer better comfort, increased protection against heat and the highest level of flame resistance. The different properties of the fibers used in the garments maximise the performance of the wearer while minimising the risk of burns, heat stress, heat stroke and ultimately loss of life.