Heat Transfer from Flammable Fabrics

Abstract

An instrumented mannequin was constructed to measure the general heat transfer from single- and multi-layer garment systems after ignition by a flame source. A range of weights in fabrics of cotton, polyester/cotton, acrylic, wool, nylon, and polyester has been studied.

Due in large measure to the melt-drip phenomenon, garments of polyester or nylon were found to burn relatively slowly over a limited area and self-extinguish, resulting in little heat transfer to the mannequin. To supplement the mannequin data, an instrument was developed to record all modes of heat transfer, including that from melted polymer. This paper deals with its application to both single and double fabric layers.

Measurements were related to possible physiological effects, using data from the literature and a supplementary patho logical study.

Keywords

Cotton fabric polyester/cotton fabric acrylic fabric wool fabric nylon fabric polyester fabric. Fabric layers weight ranges flame source fabric flammability. Heat transfer flame transfer self-extinguish flame char melt drip. Sensors blisters physiological effects thermal injury.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Agate, F.J. , Crikelair, G.F. , Ollstein, R.N. , Bent, G. , and Symonds, F.C. , Heat Transfer in Whole Garment Studies, Proc. 3rd Annual Meeting, Information Council on Fabric Flammability, New York, 1969 pp. 69 76.

Alvares, N.J. and Blackshear, P.L. , Burning Rate and Heat Transfer from Vertically Burning Cotton Cloth Panels, J. Fire Flammability 1, 48-63 (1970).

Finley, E.L. and Carter, W.H. , Temperature and Heat-Flux Measurements of Life-Size Garments Ignited by Flame Contact, J. Fire and Flammability 2, 298-320 (1971).

Fisher, A.L. , Fourt, L. , and Krasny, J.F. , The Effect of Fabric and Garment Parameters on Flammability Hazards, Proc. 5th Annual Meeting, Information Council on Fabric Flammability , New York, 1971.

Kreith, F. , "Principles of Heat Transfer, Scranton, International Textbook Company, 1960 pp. 3 21.

Montagna, W. , "The Structure and Function of Skin," New York, Academic Press, 1965, pp. 1 173.

Stoll, A.M. and Chianta, M.A. , Burn Production and Prevention in Convective and Radiant Heat Transfer, Aerospace Med. 39, 1097 1100 ( 1968).

Stoll, A.M. and Greene, L.C. , J. Appl. Physiol. 14, 373-382 (1959).

Stone, N.H. , "Profiles of Burn Management," Miami, Industrial Medicine Publishing Co., 1969, p. 8-11.

10.

Webster. C.T. , Wraight, H.G. , and Thomas, P.H. , Heat-Transfer from Burning Fabrics, J. Textile Inst. 53, 129-137 (1962).