Knit fabrics and base layer garments made therefrom with improved thermal protective properties

A thermal protective knit fabric comprising cellulosic and nylon staple yarn characterized by a weight ratio of cellulosic to nylon within said yarn ranging from about 60:40 to about 70:30, wherein at least a portion of said knit fabric forms a non-flowing structure at temperatures above the melting point of the nylon and wherein said knit fabric exhibits a Martindale Abrasion Resistance of at least about 100,000 cycles when tested in accordance with ASTM D-4966.

A thermal protective system comprising:

• a) a first layer of a knit fabric containing yarn comprising an intimate blend of cellulosic and nylon staple fibers, wherein such fabric is characterized as no-melt or no-drip when tested in accordance with at least one of NFPA 1975 (Sections 8.2 and 83), ASTMD-6413-1999 or NFPA 2112 (Section 8.2) and exhibits a Martindale Abrasion Resistance of at least about 100,000 cycles when tested in accordance with ASTM D-4966;
• and
• b) a second layer of woven fabric comprising blended yarn containing cellulosic staple fiber and nylon staple fiber, wherein said blended yarn is characterized by a weight ratio of cellulosic to nylon within said yarn ranging from about 60:40 to about 70:30.

A method of making a thermal protective knit fabric comprising the steps of:

• a) providing yarn made from an intimate blend of cellulosic and nylon staple fibers;
• b) knitting said yarn to form fabric wherein such fabric exhibits no evidence of melting of melting or dripping when tested in accordance with at least one of NFPA 1975 (Sections 8.2 and 8.3), ASTM D-6413-1999 or NFPA 2112 (Section 8.2) and exhibits a Martindale Abrasion Resistance of at least about 100,000 cycles when tested in accordance with ASTM D-4966;
• wherein the blended cellulosic and nylon staple yarn includes a weight ratio of cellulosic to nylon within said yarn ranging from about 60:40 to about 70:30.

A method of making a thermal protective garment comprising the steps of:

• a) providing thermal protective knit fabric comprising yarn made from an intimate blend of cellulosic and nylon staple fibers, wherein such fabric exhibits no evidence of melting of melting or dripping when tested in accordance with at least one of NFPA 1975 (Sections 8.2 and 8.3), ASTM D-6413-1999 or NFPA 2112 (Section 8.2) and exhibits a Martindale Abrasion Resistance of at least about 100,000 cycles when tested in accordance with ASTM D-4966;
• and
• b) assembling said thermal protective knit fabric to provide a garment.