Abstract: Protective garments are disclosed having an inner lining with high lubricity and high strength characteristics. The inner lining, in one embodiment, contains spun yarns combined with para-aramid multifilament yarns. The spun yarns may also contain flame resistant fibers, such as meta-aramid fibers, FR cellulose fibers, or mixtures thereof. The para-aramid filament yarns provide excellent strength characteristics to the fabric. In addition, in some embodiments, the multifilament yarns may enhance the fire resistant properties of the fabric. In one embodiment, the para-aramid filament yarns may have less than five twists per inch, such as from about 1 twist per inch to about four twists per inch.

Abstract: Protective garments are disclosed having an inner lining with high lubricity and high strength characteristics. The inner lining, in one embodiment, contains spun yarns combined with multifilament yarns. In accordance with the present disclosure, the multifilament yarns are present in the warp direction and in the fill direction. In addition, the multifilament yarns may outnumber the spun yarns in both the warp direction and the fill direction. In this manner, a fabric is produced not only having good lubricity characteristics but also having a balance of properties. For instance, in one embodiment, the shrink properties of the fabric in the warp direction substantially match the shrink properties of the fabric in the fill direction.

Abstract: A fabric having moisture management properties is disclosed. The fabric can also be made to be fire resistant. The fabric is particularly well suited for being used as an inner lining in protective garments. The fabric contains first yarns and second yarns. The first yarns extend in a first direction and the second yarns extend in the second direction. The yarns are woven together such that the first yarns form a pattern of shapes. The pattern of shapes concentrate the FR cellulose fibers and provide channels for carrying away moisture and improving the moisture management properties of the fabric.

Abstract: A dual coated fabric that is well suited for producing vehicle airbags. The coated fabric includes a first coating on one side and a second coating on a second and opposite side. The first coating may comprise an elastomeric coating, such as a cured rubber. The second coating on the opposite side, however, may comprise a non-elastomeric coating. The non-elastomeric coating provides dimensional stability and provides an excellent counterbalance to the elastomeric coating.

Abstract: Fabrics containing camouflage patterns are produced from dyes wherein at least certain of the colors contained in the pattern contain a low reflectance dye. The low reflectance dye is added to one or more colors in the pattern in order to preserve the camouflage pattern when viewed through night vision goggles as relatively long wavelengths, such at wavelengths greater than 900 nm. In one embodiment, the low reflectance dye comprises a thiazine. The low reflectance dye is blended with other dyes to produce colors in the pattern. By altering the concentration of the low reflectance dye in each of the colors, the colors contained in the camouflage pattern remain separate and distinct even at relatively long wavelengths.

Abstract: Protective garments include a flame resistant fabric that is strong and yet has a soft hand. The fabric is made from a combination of filament yarns and spun yarns. The filament yarns and spun yarns are woven together such that the filament yarns are separated by from about 2 to about 5 spun yarns in both the warp direction and the fill direction. The spun yarns may contain polybenzimidazole fibers in combination with other fibers, such as aramid fibers. The filament yarns may comprise para-aramid fibers. In one embodiment, the filament yarns may have a size larger than the spun yarns.

Abstract: Protective garments are disclosed having an inner lining with high lubricity and high strength characteristics. The inner lining, in one embodiment, contains spun yarns combined with para-aramid multifilament yarns. The spun yarns may also contain flame resistant fibers, such as meta-aramid fibers, FR cellulose fibers, or mixtures thereof. The para-aramid filament yarns provide excellent strength characteristics to the fabric. In addition, in some embodiments, the multifilament yarns may enhance the fire resistant properties of the fabric. In one embodiment, the para-aramid filament yarns may have less than five twists per inch, such as from about 1 twist per inch to about four twists per inch.

Abstract: Protective garments include a flame resistant fabric that is strong and yet has a soft hand. The fabric is made from a combination of filament yarns and spun yarns. The filament yarns and spun yarns are woven together such that the filament yarns are separated by from about 2 to about 5 spun yarns in both the warp direction and the fill direction. The spun yarns may contain polybenzimidazole fibers in combination with other fibers, such as aramid fibers. The filament yarns may comprise para-aramid fibers. In one embodiment, the filament yarns may have a size larger than the spun yarns.

Abstract: Fabrics containing camouflage patterns are produced from dyes wherein at least certain of the colors contained in the pattern contain a low reflectance dye. The low reflectance dye is added to one or more colors in the pattern in order to preserve the camouflage pattern when viewed through night vision goggles as relatively long wavelengths, such at wavelengths greater than 900 nm. In one embodiment, the low reflectance dye comprises a thiazine. The low reflectance dye is blended with other dyes to produce colors in the pattern. By altering the concentration of the low reflectance dye in each of the colors, the colors contained in the camouflage pattern remain separate and distinct even at relatively long wavelengths.

Abstract: Protective garments include a flame resistant fabric that is strong and yet has a soft hand. The fabric is made from a combination of filament yarns and spun yarns. The filament yarns and spun yarns are woven together such that the filament yarns are separated by from about 2 to about 5 spun yarns in both the warp direction and the fill direction. The spun yarns may contain polybenzimidazole fibers in combination with other fibers, such as aramid fibers. The filament yarns may comprise para-aramid fibers. In one embodiment, the filament yarns may have a size larger than the spun yarns.

Abstract: Fire resistant garments are disclosed made from a fabric containing a fiber blend. The fiber blend contains meta-aramid fibers, fire resistant cellulose fibers, non-aromatic polyamide fibers, and optionally para-aramid fibers. In one embodiment, a relatively lightweight fabric is produced that has been treated with a flame resistant polymer composition. The treated fabric is particularly well suited for producing jackets and trousers that are not only flame resistant, but also offer wind resistance and water resistance.

Abstract: Fire resistant garments are disclosed made from a fabric containing a fiber blend. The fiber blend contains meta-aramid fibers, fire resistant cellulose fibers, non-aromatic polyamide fibers, and optionally para-aramid fibers. The non-aromatic polyamide fibers are present in an amount sufficient to dramatically improve the abrasion resistance of the fabric without adversely interfering with the flame resistant properties. In addition to abrasion resistance, the particular blend of fibers has also been found to dramatically improve or increase various other properties. In one embodiment, the fabric is made with a herringbone weave which has been found to unexpectedly improve tear properties and porosity.

Abstract: Protective garments are disclosed having an inner lining with high lubricity and high strength characteristics. The inner lining, in one embodiment, contains spun yarns combined with para-aramid multifilament yarns. The spun yarns may also contain flame resistant fibers, such as meta-aramid fibers, FR cellulose fibers, or mixtures thereof. The para-aramid filament yarns provide excellent strength characteristics to the fabric. In addition, in some embodiments, the multifilament yarns may enhance the fire resistant properties of the fabric. In one embodiment, the para-aramid filament yarns may have less than five twists per inch, such as from about 1 twist per inch to about four twists per inch.

Abstract: Fire resistant garments are disclosed made from a fabric containing a fiber blend. The fiber blend contains meta-aramid fibers, fire resistant cellulose fibers, non-aromatic polyamide fibers, and optionally para-aramid fibers. The non-aromatic polyamide fibers are present in an amount sufficient to dramatically improve the abrasion resistance of the fabric without adversely interfering with the flame resistant properties. In addition to abrasion resistance, the particular blend of fibers has also been found to dramatically improve or increase various other properties. In one embodiment, the fabric is made with a herringbone weave which has been found to unexpectedly improve tear properties and porosity.

Abstract: Fire resistant garments are disclosed made from a fabric containing a fiber blend. The fiber blend contains meta-aramid fibers, fire resistant cellulose fibers, non-aromatic polyamide fibers, and optionally para-aramid fibers. The non-aromatic polyamide fibers are present in an amount sufficient to dramatically improve the abrasion resistance of the fabric without adversely interfering with the flame resistant properties. In addition to abrasion resistance, the particular blend of fibers has also been found to dramatically improve or increase various other properties. In one embodiment, the fabric is made with a herringbone weave which has been found to unexpectedly improve tear properties and porosity.

Abstract: An air bag material and a process for making the material are disclosed. The air bag material is formed from a water jet woven fabric containing warp yarns and weft yarns. In accordance with the present disclosure, the warp yarns are treated with a size composition prior to being woven into the fabric. The size composition improves the runnability of the yarns. Of particular advantage, the size composition does not need to be removed after the fabric is produced. In fact, leaving the size composition on the fabric has been found to significantly increase the tear strength of the fabric.

Abstract: A protective garment of the type typically worn by fire fighters with improved water resistance is disclosed. In particular, the present invention is directed to an outer shell material for protective garments that is made from a fire resistant material coated with a durable water resistant coating. The durable water resistant coating is applied to the outer shell in a manner so that the coating will not degrade when exposed to normal wear and tear and even after the garment has been laundered repeatedly. Protective garments constructed in the past typically lost most of their water repellency after being laundered as little as five cycles. It has been discovered that water resistant coatings applied according to the process of the present invention, on the other hand, can survive at least 30 laundry cycles, and in many applications at least 50 laundry cycles without significantly degrading.