Flame-resistant materials are imperative for developing fire safety gear and personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect firefighters and other people who work in hazardous environments. The key ability of flame-resistant materials is to resist flames without burning. Materials treated with chemicals to become flame resistant are then considered flame retardant. Flame-resistant materials can also flameproof standard environments such as office buildings or even baby nurseries.
Learn about the best flame-resistant materials and how their physical properties vary to maintain their resistance against flames and other hazardous elements.
1. Natural Wool
Wool is a natural material derived from animal fur. Its structure contains a high water and nitrogen content, which means wool is less likely to ignite under extreme temperatures. Wool is the least flammable natural fabric, and it doesn’t release fumes like synthetic materials such as nylon do.
2. Kevlar
Kevlar is a bulletproof material, but it’s also highly flame resistant. The molecular structure of Kevlar features high crystallinity, meaning the fibers solidify together. Kevlar’s strength exceeds that of steel, which prevents the material from igniting under extreme heat.
3. Nomex
Nomex is the standard material for firefighter gear. This heat-resistant material is also used in military and race car driver uniforms. The process to create Nomex fabric involves isophthaloyl chloride, which toughens the fabric and prevents it from tearing or burning. Nomex is one of the most-used fire-resistant materials for personal protective equipment.
4. Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic material with a flame-resistant molecular structure. The process to make polyester is similar to that of other synthetics such as nylon. It’s a popular fabric choice for home decor such as curtains and furniture upholstery due to its flame-resistant properties. A natural advantage of using polyester is that it doesn’t require chemical treatment to make it resistant to catching fire.
