How can you ensure your fashion designs are flame-resistant through textile testing?

3 What factors affect the flammability of fabrics?

The flammability of fabrics is determined by a variety of factors, such as fiber type, fabric structure, fabric weight, and fabric finish. Generally, natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk are more likely to ignite than synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic. However, they are also likely to burn slower and self-extinguish faster. Also, fabrics with a loose or open structure like knits, lace, and fleece are more likely to ignite than those with a tight or dense structure such as woven or nonwoven fabrics. In addition, fabrics with a low weight or thickness like chiffon, voile, and organza are more likely to ignite than those with a high weight or thickness such as denim, canvas, and leather. Moreover, fabrics with a flammable or combustible finish such as starch, wax, or resin are more likely to ignite than those with a flame-retardant or fire-resistant finish such as borax, alum, or bromine compounds. External conditions like temperature, humidity, oxygen level, and wind speed can also affect the flammability of fabrics; higher temperature and lower humidity can increase the flammability while lower temperature and higher humidity can decrease it.

4 How to perform textile testing for flame resistance?

To perform textile testing for flame resistance, you need to follow the appropriate test method and protocol for your fabric and material type, and your intended end-use. There are various test methods and standards for textile flammability, such as ASTM, ISO, NFPA, and BS, which determine the test conditions, equipment, procedures, and criteria for different textile products. To name a few of the common tests: the vertical flame test involves hanging a fabric specimen vertically in a flame chamber; the horizontal flame test involves placing a fabric specimen horizontally on a metal frame; the 45-degree angle flame test requires the specimen to be placed at a 45-degree angle; and the radiant heat test exposes a fabric specimen to a radiant heat source. Each of these tests measure different factors such as ignition time, flame spread, afterflame, afterglow, char length, heat flux, heat release rate, smoke generation and mass loss.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?