Flame retardant yard blend

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, it has been surprisingly found that a fabric or fabric structure comprising a batting or yarn consisting of an intimate blend of oxidized polyacrylonitrile and at least two fibers selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl halide, polybenzimidazole, p-aramid, m-aramid, fire resistant polyester and fire resistant rayon.
The oxidized polyacrylonitrile preferably comprises 25 to 85% by weight of the yarn.
The addition of the aramid fibers provides abrasion resistance to the fabric.
However, it is preferable not to add more than 35% by weight of p-aramid fibers since more than 35% affects the handle.
The addition of fire resistant wool improves the handle of the fabric and helps to offset the lose of feel which may have occurred with the p-aramid fibers.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers are opened and is then blended with either the synthetic fiber alone or together with wool to form a mixture.
Although the relative amounts of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers and other fibers may be varied over substantially broad limits, it has been found that at least 30% by weight of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers must be employed in order to achieve the flame retarding characteristics of the material of the invention.
The blend of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers and other fibers may be then formed into a carded web employing conventional carding equipment which is well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.
The carding operation serves to uniformly blend the carbonaceous fibers and other staple fibers.
The carded web will ordinarily have a thickness in the range of up to 2 inches (5.
0 cm), but may be built-up in multiple plies to produce a web having a thickness of one inch or more depending upon the desired end use of the material.
The blend of fibers may be utilized in order to form fabrics having fire retarding characteristics.
For example, a blend of fibers of the invention may be utilized in yarns to manufacture fire retardant articles such as clothing, blankets, sheets, and the like because of the excellent washability and shape retaining quality