FR Fabric Technology
Proprietary State-of-the-Art Technology
Westex guarantees the flame resistance of Westex UltraSoft® and Indura® fabrics for the life of the garment. This guarantee has been demonstrated in laboratory testing and through the auditing of samples from the millions of garments in the protective clothing marketplace for over two decades. There are many “unseen” details that go into the production of durable flame resistant cotton and cotton blend fabrics. This starts with the production of the base material, dyeing, preparation, FR engineering process, internal laboratory testing, external laboratory testing and technical support all the way to the proven performance of the FR fabric in the market. We have spent decades perfecting the highly technical, proprietary flame resistant fabric technology to produce our trusted fabrics which are market proven, world-leading brands. This high level of performance is achieved by the Westex proprietary production process, which combines advanced custom engineered machinery with sophisticated computer equipment to conduct the “ammonia cure” system.
In the Westex engineering process, a high quality phosphonium salt precondensate flame retardant chemical is applied and polymerized with gaseous ammonia forming a long-chain flame retardant polymer impregnated into the core of each cotton fiber. This flame retardant polymer acts as a catalyst promoting the charring of the fabric. This accelerated charring prohibits the support of combustion by reducing the fuel source.
How Do Westex Fabrics Self Extinguish?
In Westex engineered fabrics, the flame retardant chemical impregnated in the core of the cotton fiber acts as a catalyst promoting the charring of the fabric. This accelerated charring prohibits the support of combustion by reducing the fuel source. The flame retardant chemical acts in the solid phase to produce this char. The mechanism of action is not based on a gaseous process of extinguishing or "snuffing out" the flame.
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