- Author
- Braun, E. | Krasny, J. F. | Peacock, R. D. | Stratton, A.
- Title
- NBS Activities in Apparel Flammability.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Book or Conf
- Information Council on Fabric Flammability. Annual Meeting, 9th. December 11, 1975, ICFF, Galveston, TX, New York, NY, 263-277 p., 1975
- Keywords
- fabric flammability | garments | standards | heat transfer | extinguishment | tests
- Identifiers
- Mushroom Apparel Flammability Test (MAFT)
- Abstract
- This paper gives a brief overview of apparel flammability research activities of NBS and development of an apparel flammability test. Research consists of programs to explore: heat transfer during free burning and after contact is made between the burning fabric and a simulated body; ease of extinguishment; and optimization of fabric specimen configuration. Based on the results of this research and the general literature, a test concept was developed which strives for balance between simulation of real-life garment fires and test simplicity and reproducibility. A cylindrical specimen is suspended from a circular plate and ignitied above its bottom edge. Time-to-ignite and heat transfer to the plate and a cylinder inside the specimen are measured. Typical results and possible criteria for dividing the fabrics into classes according to time-to-ignite and heat transfer are discussed. Fabrics which are hard to ignite or transfer little heat if ignited, would be in a class which could be used in all garments. Fabrics which are easily ignited or transfer more heat could be used; e.g., in slacks and underwear, i.e., garments which cover only part of the body and could be expected to fit tightly.