Flame retardant, anti-static and wear comfort properties of modacrylic/Excel®/anti-static PET blend yarns and their knitted fabrics

This study examined the flame retardant, anti-static properties, and wear comfort of knitted fabrics made from three types of yarns composed of modacrylic, antistatic PET, cotton, and Excel (R) fibers. A limit oxygen index (LOI) above 28 was observed in the two types of modacrylic knitted fabric specimens made from the Excel (R)-included and cotton-blended yarns. The Excel (R)-included modacrylic knitted fabric showed superior flame retardant properties to the cotton blended and 100% cotton ones. The anti-static properties of the two types of modacrylic knitted fabrics imbedded with 3 wt. % of antistatic PET fibers were observed experimentally and compared with the anti-static property of the 100% cotton fabric by rubbing with wool and cotton fabrics attached to the measuring apparatus; the Excel (R)-included modacrylic knitted fabric showed better anti-static properties. Regarding the wear comfort, quick perspiration absorption, and fast drying properties of the Excel (R)-included modacryl knitted fabric was superior to those of the cotton blended and 100% cotton ones. The thermal conductivity of the Excel (R)-included modacrylic knitted fabric was lower than that of the cotton blended and 100% cotton ones. This was attributed to the lower intrinsic thermal conductivity of the Excel (R) than cotton fibers, and the higher porosity and fabric thickness of the Excel (R)-included fabric than the cotton blended and 100% cotton fabrics. The water vapor permeability of the Excel (R)-included modacrylic fabric was lower than that of the 100% cotton one. In addition, the Excel (R)-included modacrylic fabric appeared to have an inferior tactile hand compared to the cotton blended and 100% cotton fabrics because of its less extensibility, lower compressibility, higher bending and shear rigidity.