Flame and shrinkage resistant fabric blends and method for making same

A method for inhibiting laundering shrinkage in a flame resistant fabric blend containing inherently flame resistant fibers and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound, said method comprising the steps of:

• contacting a flame resistant fabric blend comprising inherently flame resistant fibers and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound with an aqueous solution containing a dye-assistant selected from the group consisting of hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium salt, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, aryl ether, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• heating the solution while in contact with the flame resistant fabric blend to a temperature that does not exceed 100° C.

A method for dyeing a flame resistant fabric blend containing aramid fibers that contain a surfactant dye-assistant and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound, said method comprising the steps of:

• contacting a flame resistant fabric blend comprising aramid fibers that contain a surfactant dye-assistant and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound with a dyebath including at least one dye;
• and
• heating the dyebath while in contact with the flame resistant fabric blend to a temperature that does not exceed 100° C. to fix the dye within the aramid fibers.

A method for inhibiting laundering shrinkage in a flame resistant fabric blend containing aramid fibers that contain a surfactant dye-assistant and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound, said method comprising the steps of:

• contacting a flame resistant fabric blend comprising aramid fibers that contain a surfactant dye-assistant and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound with an aqueous solution;
• and
• heating the solution while in contact with the flame resistant fabric blend to a temperature that does not exceed 100° C.

A method for dyeing a flame resistant fabric blend containing inherently flame resistant fibers and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound, comprising:

• contacting a flame resistant fabric blend comprising inherently flame resistant fibers and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound with a dyebath including at least one dye and a dye-assistant selected from the group consisting of N-cyclohexylpyrrolidone, benzyl alcohol, N,N-dibutylformamide, N,N-diethylbenzamide, hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium salt, N,N-dimethylbenzamide, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, N-octylpyrrolidone, aryl ether, an approximately 50/50 blend of N,N-dimethylcaprylamide and N,N-dimethylcapramide, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• heating the dyebath while in contact with the flame resistant fabric blend to a temperature below 82° C. to fix the dye within the inherently flame resistant fibers.

A method for inhibiting laundering shrinkage in a flame resistant fabric blend containing inherently flame resistant fibers and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound, comprising:

• contacting a flame resistant fabric blend comprising inherently flame resistant fibers and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound with an aqueous solution containing a dye-assistant selected from the group consisting of N-cyclohexylpyrrolidone, benzyl alcohol, N,N-dibutylformamide, N,N-diethylbenzamide, hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium salt, N,N-dimethylbenzamide, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, N-octylpyrrolidone, aryl ether, an approximately 50/50 blend of N,N-dimethylcaprylamide and N,N-dimethylcapramide, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• heating the solution while in contact with the flame resistant fabric blend to a temperature below 82° C.

A method for dyeing a flame resistant fabric blend, comprising:

• contacting a flame resistant fabric blend comprising para-aramid fibers and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound with a dyebath including at least one dye and a dye-assistant selected from the group consisting of N-cyclohexylpyrrolidone, benzyl alcohol, N,N-dibutylformamide, N,N-diethylbenzamide, hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium salt, N,N-dimethylbenzamide, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, N-octylpyrrolidone, aryl ether, an approximately 50/50 blend of N,N-dimethylcaprylamide and N,N-dimethylcapramide, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• heating the dyebath while in contact with the flame resistant fabric blend to a temperature that does not exceed 100° C. to fix the dye within the inherently flame resistant fibers.

A method for inhibiting laundering shrinkage in a flame resistant fabric blend, comprising:

• contacting a flame resistant fabric blend comprising para-aramid fibers and cellulosic fibers that contain a flame retardant compound with an aqueous solution containing a dye-assistant selected from the group consisting of N-cyclohexylpyrrolidone, benzyl alcohol, N,N-dibutylformamide, N,N-diethylbenzamide, hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium salt, N,N-dimethylbenzamide, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, N-octylpyrrolidone, aryl ether, an approximately 50/50 blend of N,N-dimethylcaprylamide and N,N-dimethylcapramide, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• heating the solution while in contact with the flame resistant fabric blend to a temperature that does not exceed 100° C.