Flammability, comfort and mechanical properties of a novel fabric structure: plant-structured fabric

Traditional flame retardant (FR) treatments may bring detrimental effects on comfort as well as mechanical properties for cotton fabrics. This study investigates whether a novel fabric structure—plant-structured fabric can improve fabric performance after FR treatment. Here, plant-structure fabrics were compared with conventional fabrics of similar weight and thickness. The results revealed plant-structured fabrics tended to retain a higher level of comfort properties than the conventional plain and twill weave fabrics on wettability, thermal conductivity, air resistance and fabric hand feel. Moreover, the tearing strength and tensile strength of the plant-structured fabrics are strongly associated with a higher level of flame resistance as evaluated by the 45° flammability test. This can be attributed to higher fabric sett, the presence of closed pores between the two layers and lower open pore volume at its face. The weave pattern of fabrics was observed through microscope and the thermal decomposition behaviour of fabrics was evaluated by thermal gravimetric analysis.