Heat Transfer from Flammable Fabrics

Abstract

An instrumented mannequin was constructed to measure the general heat transfer from single- and multi-layer garment systems after ignition by a flame source. A range of weights in fabrics of cotton, polyester/cotton, acrylic, wool, nylon, and polyester has been studied. Due in large measure to the melt-drip phenomenon, garments of polyester or nylon were found to burn relatively slowly over a limited area and self-extinguish, resulting in little heat transfer to the mannequin. To supplement the mannequin data, an instrument was developed to record all modes of heat transfer, including that from melted polymer. This paper deals with its application to both single and double fabric layers. Measurements were related to possible physiological effects, using data from the literature and a supplementary patho logical study.