FLAME RETARDANT TEXTILES FOR ELECTRIC ARC FLASH HAZARDS: A REVIEW

Research in textile materials with flame retardant properties for protective clothing is part of a macro-trend of professional protective uniforms development. In this scenario, it is observed a high demand for workers exposed to risks of electrical hazards caused by electric arcs or flash fire, due to lethality or brutal consequences of it. Therefore, once its scenario shows an extreme risk, the material used for protective clothing must attend some rigid criteria. That way, uniform so-called FR (flame or fire retardant) is capable of making ignition difficult and slowing down the flame spreading, reducing the risk of more severe burn injuries. This article overviews the most used FR textile materials in personal protection equipment (PPE) that attends voltaic arc protection, current research in textile materials with anti- flame and arc-flash protection, and investigates the new tendencies in research of materials, methodologies and techniques in FR segment