The TRI Flammability Analyzer has been used to determine the effects of moisture on the flammability characteristics of textile materials. Both moisture in the fabric and in the test environment have been considered for a number of un treated and flame-retardant-treated fabrics. The results are reported and interpreted in terms of several measurable quantities: mass transformation rate (MTR), oxygen sensitivity (ΔMTR/Δ% O2), and extrapolated oxygen index (O. I.)0. Variations in fabric moisture content appear to have a greater effect on the behavior of relatively hydrophobic fibers (such as polyester), as compared to cotton or nylon.
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