A pair of new studies show how to make firefighters’ clothing safer to wear, maintain and manufacture.
A pair of new University of Alberta studies show how to make firefighters’ clothing safer to wear, maintain and manufacture.
One study revealed that some fibres used in the protective gear break down when exposed to warm water, showing what can happen to the garments over time, during real-life firefighting scenarios and laundering.
The other study analyzed the water used in the manufacture of fibres, identifying a handful of harmful dye compounds leaching from the fabrics that could weaken their protective qualities.
“The findings of both studies show vulnerabilities and potential ways to improve the materials currently being used in firefighters’ clothing, and for maintenance,” says Saiful Hoque, who conducted the work to earn a PhD in textile and apparel science from the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences (ALES).
Wear and care
Using accelerated aging treatments reflecting firefighting and laundering conditions, one of the studies investigated the effects of heat and water on 15 different yarns in eight fabrics typically used to manufacture protective clothing.
The fibres were immersed in both purified neutral pH and acidic water ranging from 40 C to 90 C for up to 1,200 hours at a time, then checked for physical, chemical and other types of deterioration. The results of the hydrothermal aging showed that fabric blends containing a particular type of fibre, called para-aramid/polybenzimidazole, or PBI, degraded in strength 68 per cent more quickly when exposed to moisture, as opposed to similar fire-protective fabrics that didn’t contain PBI.
High-performance fibre blends containing PBI are typically used to make firefighters’ outer jackets and trousers, due to the fibre’s flexibility and ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
Responsible manufacture
Hoque’s second study developed a method of analyzing the water used in the experiments, which can be used by fabric manufacturers to make their production processes more environmentally sustainable, he says.
The analysis identified three dye-related compounds known to pose some risk to the environment, “particularly when they leach into water systems,” he notes.
Though not recommended for use, “it’s possible that some manufacturers still employ these compounds, so this information can help them prevent environmental pollution and adopt more sustainable practices.”
References: Hoque S, Saha A, Chung HJ, Dolez P. Hydrothermal aging behavior of high-performance polymeric fibers: Mechanical performance at the yarn scale and chemical analysis. J Polymer Sci. 2024. doi: 10.1002/pol.20230950
Hoque S, Johnson T, de la Mata P, Harynuk JJ, Dolez PI. Analysis of hydrothermal aging water of fire-protective fabrics using GC × GC–TOFMS and FID. Fibers Polym. 2024;25(5):1925-1948. doi: 10.1007/s12221-024-00540-5
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