Blends of wool with high performance fibers as heat and fire resistant fabrics

The heat and flame resistance of the high performance fibers poly-p-phenylenediamine-terephthalamide (PPTA), co-poly(p-phenylene-3,4-oxidiphenylene-terephthalamide) (TECH) and Poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers is studied. It is shown that for an organic polymer PBO has exceptional heat and fire resistance. Blends of wool with high performance fibers is studied in order to investigate possible synergistic effect. Blends of wool with PBO do not enhance the FR performance of wool. Blends of wool with p-aramides (PPTA and TECH) improves the FR performance and the thermal stability of the whole textile. Synergistic effects are suggested in terms of Rate of Heat Release (RHR) peak. A mechanism of action explaining the enhanced performance is proposed.