Cotton-polyester blend, protective

The main flmction of textiles used in articles of clothing is to protect the body by keeping heat in and moisture out. The wearer comfort of textiles depends not only on heat and moisture management but also on the softness and feel of the material. Finishing agents impart a pleasant, soft and supple feel to textiles, especially to cotton but also to cotton-polyester blended fabrics. 

Wool and Visil fiber are blended to improve latter s fiber properties, but the flammability of the blend is also reduced. Cotton-wool blends are quite common as well. Aramids are blended with many fibers for different applications. Nomex can be blended with FR viscose and FR wool to produce fire-blocking fabric, e.g., for aircraft seats.4 Nomex blended with Kevlar shows better performance than 100% Nomex in fire fighters outer protective garments.26 Various blends of glass fibers with aramids, melamine fibers, PVC fibers, and polyester have been reported for use in fire-protective nonwoven veils for upholstery and mattresses.92... 

Ozone is being investigated for shrinkage prevention (182). Wool and blends of wool, cotton, and polyester have been finished to provide improved flame-retardant, durable-press, and shrinkage properties (183,184). Fabrics of these types are often used for uniforms or protective clothing (185). 

Laboratory coats provide a protective layer of clothing between you and the hazard. If you are using flammable, pyrophoric, or other reactive chemicals, you should use fire-resistant lab coats. While lab coats made of 100% cotton or polyester/cotton blends offer some protection against splashes, spills, or contamination, these coats have little or no fire resistance. Laboratory coats made of Nomex , Indura , or Excel are principally made of 100% cotton combined with fire retardant threads and are fire resistant. (Alas, however, they don t come in white.) Washing does not remove their fire resistance. The importance of wearing a fire-resistant lab coat for some laboratory operations is illustrated by Incident 7.3.5.1. 

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