What Are the Most Flame Resistant Fabrics?

What Are the Most Flame Resistant Fabrics? Posted by Taylor Gowland on January 27, 2022

FR stands for fire resistance and is an integral part of creating safe materials for workers in various work environments. There are different variants of flame-resistant clothing available in today's market. The fabric best for your industry will depend on the required safety measures needed to keep employees safe in your workspace. 

What Types of Fabrics are Used in FR Clothing?

FR garments are critical for protecting individuals working in environments prone to fire hazards. Different types of fabrics show different resistivity levels when exposed to thermal energy. Materials with high resistivity even under significant exposure to thermal energy are ideal for FR apparel. The most common types of FR fabric include aramids, coated nylon, FR cotton, Nomex, modacrylic, and PBI.

Fire Resistant vs. Flame Retardant

While there is some overlap, it is essential to distinguish between fire-resistant and flame-retardant materials. These differences will impact what type of FR or FRC cloth you should purchase.

Fire-resistant apparel is typically made of synthetic fibers that resist ignition under prolonged exposure to heat. Instead of burning, FR apparel will eventually begin to melt. Tolerance to heat will vary depending on your FR clothing company manufacturer.

FRC workwear will significantly depend on the number of chemicals used to treat the fabric. Flame-resistant cloths are standard fabrics that are treated with a flame-retardant coating. The FRC gear will still burn but much slower than untreated fabrics.

Which Fabrics are the Most Flame Resistant?

While no fabric is entirely fireproof, certain textiles resist fire better than other fabrics. Fire-resistant garments are typically made resistant because of their natural fire weave or treatment. Wool is considered the most flame-resistant natural fiber because of its difficulty in igniting compared to other natural fibers. Acrylic, polyester, and nylon resist much higher temperatures than natural fibers and can be treated to make fire-resistant workwear.

Aramids are synthetic fiber properties that enjoy heat resistance, resistance to abrasion, high tensile strength, and resistance to solvents and chemical oils. These properties make Aramids perfect for making fire-resistant fabric for clothing. Kevlar and Nomex are robust and heat-resistant aramid fibers.

These fabrics are known for their uses in body armor and bulletproof vests. More than any other type of fabric, aramid material is the most fire-resistant and, therefore, the most common for safety apparel.

FR and FRC garments can be purchased from a variety of suppliers. It is commonplace for businesses to buy flame-resistant uniforms. Custom fire-resistant clothing can be purchased online through a retailer. You can also buy individual fire- and flame-resistant garments at outdoor and manual labor stores like Home Depot and C-A-L Ranch. No matter your profession, there is a style, weight, and brand available that will suit your needs and budget for better protection. If you want to purchase affordable FR and FRC clothing ASAP, give us a shot.