I want to know if anyone has heard of - or has experienced extreme flamability in "acrylic" kilts. Just want to know.

Paul T Barton - idezilla

Yes. They can be.

Most synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, acrylic or polyester resist ignition. However, once ignited, the fabrics melt. This hot, sticky, melted substance causes localized and extremely severe burns. When natural and synthetic fibers are blended, the hazard may increase because the combination of high rate of burning and fabric melting usually will result in serious burns. In some cases, the hazard may be greater than that of either fabric individually

All fabrics will burn but some are more combustible than others. Untreated natural fibers such as cotton, linen and silk burn more readily than wool, which is more difficult to ignite and burns with a low flame velocity.

The design of clothing also may influence the flammability of the garment. Full, long and loose garments tend to ignite easily and have a higher rate of burning since more material is exposed to the atmosphere than with close-fitting garments.

In terms of flammability, silk may be the worst with a high burning rate, which may be increased by the dyes and other additives to provide color.

Cotton and linen also have a high burning rate but this can be alleviated by the application of flame-retardant chemical additives.

Acetate and triacetate are as flammable or slightly less flammable than cotton. However, they can be made flame-retardant with chemical treatment.

Nylon, polyester and acrylic tend to be slow to ignite but once ignited, severe melting and dripping occurs. Wool is comparatively flame-retardant. If ignited, it usually has a low burning rate and may self-extinguish.

Edit: forgot to list the source... University of Arizona 5/15/2005
(NOT one of the material manufacturers or the mills)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Carbomb

Wool is comparatively flame-retardant. If ignited, it usually has a low burning rate and may self-extinguish.

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Another GREAT reason to wear a tank, huh? As if we needed any more! :grin: :grin: :grin:

Joe

Maybe I have not been paying attention, but it does not seem, to me, that kilts catching fire is much of a problem.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bob C.

Maybe I have not been paying attention, but it does not seem, to me, that kilts catching fire is much of a problem.

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Do you work in a kitchen? Spend time out of doors? Smoke? Go to Burning Man events? Concerts?

Is there a point in there, somewhere? If there is a documented case of a kilt going up in flames without the help of an English army, I've not heard of it.

You?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bob C.

Is there a point in there, somewhere? If there is a documented case of a kilt going up in flames without the help of an English army, I've not heard of it.

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I think Dread's point is: Better safe than sorry.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jfellrath

I think Dread's point is: Better safe than sorry.

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That's probably the point. If you know you're going to be wearing your kilt around open flames or even sparks, it's best to think about this beforehand.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Carbomb

Most synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, acrylic or polyester resist ignition. However, once ignited, the fabrics melt. This hot, sticky, melted substance causes localized and extremely severe burns.

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Thanks, That's what I suspected. No I do not work around flames,
but occasionally do an outside barby.

Paul