Effect of the macro-structure on the flammability of the oxidized PAN fibre based woven textiles

Abstract

In this work, the macro structure properties which determine the flammability of the end products (woven textiles) produced from 100 % oxidized PAN fibres, based on their micro structure properties were examined. The conclusion was that the flammability of an end product can be defined and tested in two forms: one form is the oxidized PAN fibre as main product (micro structure) and the other is the woven fabric made from these fibres (macro structure). A textile produced from a certain oxidized fibre shows different flammability and oxygen index if the types of woven fabric are different. The authors also concluded that the oxygen index, which characterises the flammability of an end product, is in correlation with the main parameters (e.g.: density) of the macro- and micro structures. Based on the results obtained it seems, that to characterise the flammability of the end products it is not enough to give only the standardized oxygen-index and it is not enough to give only the LOI parameter of the base material.