AATCC News

● Tweet

● Share this Page: Association of Textile, Apparel, And Materials news and feature stories
●

View on Web

May 5, 2015

Flammability Requirements for Military Textiles

While the need for flame resistant (FR) fabrics for

military textiles has always been prevalent, with the
rise of the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),
the need for innovative and protective FR fabrics has
become more urgent for militaries around the world.

More info...

AATCC Committe Meetings

First timer? Old hand? Some tips to keep in mind when attending AATCC Committee
Meetings. AATCC Spring Committee meetings will be held May 5-7, 2015 at the
DoubleTree by Hilton Raleigh-Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park.
More info...

Student Chapter Awards Sponsorship Opportunity

AATCC presents Student AATCC is sponsoring a
Chapter Awards to seniors Sustainability Symposium
from our Student Chapters, with Zhejiang Sci-Tech
in recognition of their University in Hangzhou,
academic achievement and China. Check out
contributions to the chapter, opportunities to promote
school, or society. your company’s products
More info... More info...

http://www.icontact-archive.com/GRXUtzWNofO-Rc27v-vuy3UoTpBeEvOE?w=4 (1 of 2) [6/4/2015 11:40:08 AM]

 AATCC News

2015 STRC Conference AATCC Editorial Survey

The Southern Textile We want your input on the
Research Conference (STRC) topics YOU would prefer to
next conference will be in read. What issues haven't we
Greenville, SC on May 17-19. covered? What would you like
The theme is Advanced to learn more about?
Materials, Textiles and
Fibers.
More info... More info...

For complete list and updates, visit the AATCC Events page

May 5-7, 2015 June 10-14, 2015 Open Enrollment

May Committee Meetings The 13th International Wool Research Conference & Textile Fundamentals Web-Based Training
Research Triangle Park, NC AATCC Sustainability Symposium more info...
more info Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Online AATCC Test Method Training
May 17-19, 2015 more info.. more info...
STRC 2015 Conference
Greenville, SC September 16-17, 2015 AATCC Recorded Webinars
more info.... Antibacterial/Odor Conference more info...
Research Triangle Park, NC
more info.. Getting White Right
more info...

**If you would like to register for an event please

contact our Education Department. Proficiency Testing Registration

June 3, 2015
Visual Gray Scale for Color Change Evaluation
more info...

http://www.icontact-archive.com/GRXUtzWNofO-Rc27v-vuy3UoTpBeEvOE?w=4 (2 of 2) [6/4/2015 11:40:08 AM]

AATCC News | AATCC Online

Flammability Requirements
for Military Textiles
By Dr Nicola Davies
While the need for flame resistant (FR) fabrics for military textiles has always been prevalent, with the rise of the use of Improvised
Explosive Devices (IEDs), the need for innovative and protective FR fabrics has become more urgent for militaries around the world.
But protection from fire is not the only challenge facing designers of military textiles.
One of the other heat-related factors that may be impacted by FR design choices is
the effect of the fabric on the wearer’s thermal signature, which refers to how
targetable the wearer will be through near-infrared detection technologies. Some
ways of advancing flame-resistance may simultaneously—positively or negatively—
affect infrared detectability.

Heat and flame—as well as ballistics—protection are not the only considerations in designing and specifying military uniforms and fabrics.
In an interview, researcher Aravin Periyasamy, of the Technical University of Liberec, emphasized, “Damage resistance, comfort,
sweat management . . . and the integration of high-tech materials into uniforms” as some of the key parameters for all military textiles.

Current Status Quo in Military Textiles

Methods of flame-resistance fall into four broad categories:
1. Strategic selection and configuration of natural fibers
2. Chemical treatment of natural fibers
3. Development of synthetics
4. Strategic combinations and configurations of synthetics and natural fibers
Chemical treatment of natural fibers have been prone to failure due to
laundering or exposure to chemicals in a soldier’s working environment.
However, processes have been developed to overcome some of this fragility,
and militaries do use some of these treated natural fibers, such as in FR
treated cotton undergarments and T-shirts.

“Flame-resistance” in relation to textiles for military use doesn’t just mean that the fabric resists catching fire. Some popular synthetics
such as nylon and polyester actually resist ignition and aren’t that easy to light on fire—but they tend to melt under intense heat, whether
a flame is present or not. The severe localized burns that result from the hot, sticky melting substance produced can have
grave consequences for a soldier in action.
The current state-of-the-art in FR military textiles includes:
❍ Cross-linked melamine polymers
❍ Other polymers
❍ Modacrylics specialty rayon fibers
❍ Chemically treated cotton and cotton blends
❍ Polybenzobisoxazole fibers
❍ Aramids (aromatic polyamides)
❍ Meta-aramids and FR viscose
❍ FR treated cotton
❍ Polybenzimidazole fibers
FR Testing
For military textiles, many countries may specify ISO (International Organization for Standardization), ASTM (American Society for
Testing and Materials), or ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards for FR testing of their fabrics. For example, ASTM
D6413/D6413-13b, a vertical flame test for flame resistance of textiles, is cited in many military specifications.

http://www.aatcc.org/pub/aatcc-news/newsletters/0515a-story1/ (2 of 3) [6/4/2015 11:41:01 AM]

AATCC News | AATCC Online

Future Trends
One laboratory has reported that in a recent set of experiments, a 50/50 blend of wool
and aramid outperformed many current FR textiles in terms of strength-to-weight
ratio, durability, and comfort. The blend would also easily meet camouflage and
anti-infrared-detection standards.

Some of the keys to these results were: (a) coaxing longer staple lengths out of the wool by using a long-staple worsted spinning
system, and (b) removing the scales of the wool through the acid “superwash” process. Periyasamy envisions that going forward,
“Better results will come from nano-technology-based flame resistance.”
With greater accessibility of sophisticated near-infrared detection and targeting—and the many openings for improvements in
comfort, durability, and cost—there is a clear need for continued development of heat and flame resistance for military textiles.

Quick Links Mobile Apps

● Join AATCC ● AATCC Journal of Research
● AATCC Resource Center ● AATCC Review
● AATCC Textile Jobsite ● AATCC Committee Meetings
● Advertise! ● Awards Take AATCC along with you! Get AATCC app for iPhone and Android.
Buyers Guide Colour Index
Follow us
● ●

● Contact ● Corporate Members (list)

● Education & Training Programs ● Global Test Method Training
● International Conference (IC) ● Interest Groups
● Local Sections ● Member Benefits
● Proficiency Testing ● Scholarships
● Student Internship & Resumes ● UV Calibration Reference Fabric

© Copyright 2015, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

http://www.aatcc.org/pub/aatcc-news/newsletters/0515a-story1/ (3 of 3) [6/4/2015 11:41:01 AM]

AATCC News | AATCC Online

Student Chapter Awards

Part 2
Read Part 1 here
AATCC presents Student Chapter Awards every year to graduating seniors from our Student Chapters to be recognized for
academic achievement and contribution to the chapter, school, or society. AATCC presents each chapter award winner with a certificate
and a copy of Color Vision and Technology. Winners also receive one year of free Student Membership in AATCC as they start
their careers. Be sure to congratulate these outstanding AATCC student members!

NED University
Tahreem Beg is a textile major and maintains a 3.802 GPA. NED University AATCC Student Chapter advisors Muhammad
Dawood Husain and Fareha Asim say that Beg has performed well consistently. “She secured the
first position in three of eight semesters and an overall second position in her BE Textile Program,”
says Husain. In her second semester, she was awarded a merit scholarship by the university. “I acted
as an advisor of her final year engineering design project,” says Husain. “She performed very well in
the final presentation, exhibiting excellent ability to understand difficult concepts quickly and be able
to explain them. [She] has proved her mettle time and again with her academic excellence alongside
the various exposures to the corporate world.” Beg participated actively in all of the events organized
by the Textile department of NEDUET. She was also Deputy Head of Marketing for the AATCC
NED Student Chapter, helping to organize the Career Seminar 2014 and organizing the AATCC
Student Chapter’s participation at the First NED International Textile Conference (ITC).

Philadelphia University
Rebecca Flax is a textile design major with a 3.699 GPA. She will be continuing her studies at Philadelphia
University while pursuing a Master’s degree in textile design. Philadelphia University AATCC Student Chapter advisor
Janet Brady says “She is a talented student very worthy of this award.” Flax worked Open House events on campus,
routinely supports other students in the Textile Design studio by assisting with questions they have regarding computer
systems, equipment issues, etc., and tutored for both Dyeing and Finishing and Textile Production I classes for two
years. She was selected to represent the TD UG program at The Barnes Foundation, First Sundays “Textiles.” Flax
exhibited and presented her textile design work to interested museum attendees. She was also selected to exhibit her
textile design work at the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show in Spring 2014. A floral designer created an arrangement in
response to Flax’s textile work. Flax was selected to participate in a WITHIT conference, which is a group of women in
the textile and home fashions industries. She also won a scholarship to serve as a student assistant at the HGA
international conference Convergence 2014 in Providence RI.

University of California, Davis (UC Davis)

Brenda Zarate majors in textiles and clothing, with an economics
and marketing emphasis and maintains a GPA of 3.919. AATCC Student
Chapter Advisor You-Lo Hsieh says that Zarate’s academic track record
includes 14 A-plus grades, “a truly outstanding academic achievement! Her A
+ grades are in subjects ranging from economics, cultural anthropology to
http://www.aatcc.org/pub/aatcc-news/newsletters/0515a-story2/ (2 of 3) [6/4/2015 11:44:29 AM]
AATCC News | AATCC Online

textile science. Furthermore, she will graduate with a BS degree in three

years!” Zarate will graduate with highest honors from UC Davis this
spring. Besides excelling academically, Zarate has been active in organizations
in and outside of the university. She has volunteered to help with children’s art
as well as second hand clothing in the community. She has volunteered in
UC Davis’ annual Picnic Day Tie Dye event. In addition, Hsieh says Zarate
“plans to join a women’s cooperative program in Peru to improve the
economic viability of women in their textile and apparel work.”

University of Rhode Island (URI)

Rachal Mathies is a double major in textiles and Italian, and is also earning a minor in economics, with a 3.75 GPA.
She spent a semester in Florence, Italy. According to URI AATCC Student Chapter advisor Martin Bide, “In addition to being
a talented student, Rachal is also an excellent practical textile chemist. She has carried out work in the university’s textile
science laboratory as part of several ongoing projects. Her work is careful and reliable.”

Virginia Institute of Technology (Virginia Tech)

Kelsey Smith is a double major in fashion merchandising and design and multimedia
journalism with a 3.7 GPA, who has been named to the Dean’s List every semester. Smith
was chosen for an independent study as AATCC Student Chapter advisor, Jessie Chen-Yu’s
teaching assistant for Apparel Textiles Lab in Fall 2013. As a Virginia Tech Cheerleader,
Smith received the All-Academic Award in 2012 and 2013 for having the highest GPA on
the Cheerleading Team. She currently serves as co-captain of the Virginia Tech Cheerleading
Team, and has been a part of the program throughout all four years. Smith was also involved
in several community service efforts on campus including The Big Event at Virginia Tech and
Relay for Life. As a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, Smith served as Intellectual
Development Chair for a semester and worked with several philanthropic organizations, including
the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley.

Quick Links Mobile Apps

● Join AATCC ● AATCC Journal of Research
● AATCC Resource Center ● AATCC Review
● AATCC Textile Jobsite ● AATCC Committee Meetings
● Advertise! ● Awards Take AATCC along with you! Get AATCC app for iPhone and Android.
Buyers Guide Colour Index
Follow us
● ●

● Contact ● Corporate Members (list)

● Education & Training Programs ● Global Test Method Training
● International Conference (IC) ● Interest Groups
● Local Sections ● Member Benefits
● Proficiency Testing ● Scholarships
● Student Internship & Resumes ● UV Calibration Reference Fabric

© Copyright 2015, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

http://www.aatcc.org/pub/aatcc-news/newsletters/0515a-story2/ (3 of 3) [6/4/2015 11:44:29 AM]