Posted by Tex Tech Industries on July 12, 2018

Companies whose workers are routinely exposed to direct flame, extreme heat, molten metal, hot liquids, or arc flash please take note: Not all flame-resistant (FR) materials are created equal. FR fabric performance exists on a spectrum—ranging from only minimal protection all the way up to high-performing fabrics constructed of truly non-flammable fiber blends. Ensuring workers’ garments and equipment won’t burn, melt, or ignite requires choosing the right FR material.

Superior FR Fabrics to Improve Worker Safety

FR materials protect workers in several different ways: not supporting combustion in the absence of an external flame source, igniting with difficulty, burning slowly when set on fire, and/or self-extinguishing when the heat source is removed. Flame resistance may also be achieved by treating fabrics with chemicals that impart this protection, but there is risk of the treatment wearing out or washing away.

When flame resistance is inherent in the polymer, those risks are eliminated. The best protection comes with truly non-flammable, fire-proof, and non-combustible products, such as the CarbonX® product line.

The CarbonX Standard

CarbonX products are constructed to be truly non-flammable. They will not melt, burn, ignite, drip, char, or shrink when exposed to direct flame or extreme heat. They provide protection against molten metal, certain chemicals, and flammable liquids; arc flash; radiant heat; and even against hazardous weather conditions.

This multi-faceted level of protection helps streamline organizational personal protective equipment (PPE) purchases. The superior protective performance of the CarbonX product line comes from a patented fiber blend of OPAN and a variety of strengthening fibers. The resulting knit, woven, and non-woven fabric constructions are used in base-layer garments and outerwear, liners, engine and welding blankets, full-body suits, etc. No matter the application, CarbonX fabrics are designed to exceed industry standards.

Exceed Common Safety Requirements

There are several important safety standards in use when determining which PPE is appropriate for a specific application:

  • NFPA

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) established several Hazard Risk Categories (HRCs) – ranging from HRC 0 to HRC 4 – with each category requiring the use of different types of FR materials.

  • TPP

A material’s thermal protective performance (TPP) rating determines the level of the garment’s thermal insulating performance against both convective and radiant heat exposure. The higher the TPP rating, the higher the level of protection.

  • EN 11611
  • EN 11612
  • EN 1149-3
  • ISO 6530
  • EN 469
  • ISO 15384
  • EN 13911
  • ASTM F1506 / EN 61482-1
  • ASTM 6413
  • ASTM 1959
  • NFPA 2112
  • NFPA 70E

CarbonX uses HRC, TPP, and other ratings and standards merely as a baseline for protection, then creates customized solutions that optimize safety for each unique situation.

Demonstrably Superior Performance

The CarbonX patented fiber blend scores far above other materials commonly used in FR fabrics in terms of limiting oxygen index (LOI). The special design requires a very high oxygen level – nearly three times as high as the level present in air – in order to burn.

After intense exposure to 250°C heat, the CarbonX fiber blend possesses 100% of its original strength and an astonishing 40% after 10 minutes of exposure to a temperature of 500°C. This capacity for sustained exposure ensures that workers have extra precious minutes to escape harmful accidents or hazardous situations while drastically lowering the chances of permanent injury.

No Sacrifice in Comfort

While CarbonX products are strong enough to be worn daily and tough enough to withstand even the most extreme environments., they are still very comfortable. They are soft-to-the-touch, lightweight, flexible, odor-resistant, quick-drying, breathable, and designed to wick away moisture so workers stay cool on the job.

Find a CarbonX Fabric for Your Application

The CarbonX skilled team of engineers collaborates closely with leading safety-supply manufacturers and distributors to create highly customized solutions, allowing for innovative product development that keeps workers safe and increased business opportunities for manufacturer and distributor partners.

You can learn more about how CarbonX non-flammable products can benefit your company by downloading our eBook or contacting us.