Smoldering Combustion of Thai Cotton Upholstery Fabrics : The effects of Fabric Weught and Multiple Layers of Cover Fabrics

Abstract

Smoldering behavior of single and multiple layers of 100% Thai cotton fabrics in light, medium and heavy weight covering polyurethane foam and coir fiber batting was studied. A lighted cigarette was used to ignite the fabrics. Test fabrics were not burnt severely. After 20 minute ignition, most fabrics produced a char less than 6 cm. Type of batting, fabric weight and number of layers of cover fabrics significantly affected the char length.. Increasing fabric weight and the number of layers of cover fabrics decreased char length. Coir fiber batting produced smaller char length than polyurethane foam.