Are Acrylic kilts flammable?

[idezilla]

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

[Dreadbelly]

Yes. They can be.

[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. 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)

[JBfromBS]

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

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

Joe

[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.

[Dreadbelly]

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

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

[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.

You?

[idezilla]

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.

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

Paul

[Rigged]

I spin fire using a staff. It's like a double torch. Most fire spinners wear natural fibres -- typically cotton, wool or leather because they are slower to catch fire and burn more slowly and with fewer hazards (melting) than other materials. Others wear treated materials that are fire resistant.

I usually spin wearing either my black workman's UK or the leather UK. I'm also particular about the fuel I use. I only use white gas (Coleman camp fuel), or charcoal lighter fluid.

They have very similar properties in that they evaporate very quickly so that even if I brush the flaming end of the staff against my clothing, the burning fuel will evaporate off before it can heat up the material enough for it to catch fire.

I'm also a Ranger at Burning Man and we always wear natural fibres since we work close to burning objects.

Hot sparks from an open fire will burn holes in most synthetic materials even if the material doesn't totally go up in hot sticky flame.

Synthetics are like wrapping yourself in napalm.

[yoippari]

I asked something similar in one of my posts a wek or two ago. I will be working near high heat where the flamability of the clothes does matter. Although a leather apron will probably keep a kilt relatively safe around a forge, I still would not want synthetic clothes on me. One of the problems with the synthetic materials (which I lovingly refer to as plastic clothing) is that when they melt, they melt to you.

My dad knows someone at his paper mill that was given a "plastic" safety vest as some award for safety. He was working near a machine when it either exploded or a burst of flame came out (not sure of the details). He still has some of that vest in his back.