Weldfabulous Blog

A flame-resistant t-shirt provides a secondary source of protection when worn under a welding jacket. Actually, during the hot summer days, many of us have resorted to wearing just an FR long-sleeve t-shirt (and maybe FR sleeves) to try to beat the heat when welding.

When selecting the appropriate FR t-shirt for the job, the most important consideration is the fabric. Identifying the hazards you need protection from (sparks, spatter, arc flash, flash fire, etc.) is key to determining the best fabric. While FR t-shirts are available in a couple of fabrics and fabric blends, 100% FR Cotton is the preferred choice for welding applications.

A quick note on flame-resistant fabrics

Fabrics that are not flame resistant will ignite and continue to burn if exposed to an ignition source such as flame, spark, or electric arc. These fabrics will continue to burn even after the heat source has been removed.

Flame-resistant fabrics and garments resist ignition and self-extinguish almost immediately upon removal of the ignition source. For FR t-shirts, there are three basic options:

• Treated Cotton: FR Cotton is treated with a flame-retardant chemical to make it flame-resistant
• Modacrylic: Synthetic fabric composed of flame-resistant fibers
• Blends: Some FR fabrics are blends of modacrylics and cotton; there are some blends that include polyester and other synthetics

Why choose 100% FR Cotton?

A 100% FR Cotton long sleeve t-shirt is a superior choice for flame cutting and welding because it provides a great combination of protection, comfort, and value.

FR-treated cotton provides better protection from the heat, sparks, and spatter associated with welding applications. Synthetics and synthetic blends offer flame resistance but will blacken and harden when exposed to actual flame and high heat and are therefore not suitable as a secondary source of protection for dedicated welding jobs.

FR-treated cotton is one of the softest and most comfortable flame-resistant fabrics available. FR Cotton breathes better than oil-based synthetic fabrics. And, cotton sheds odor more easily than synthetics.

Weldfabulous carries TruGuard™ 200 FR Cotton Long-Sleeve T-Shirts by Black Stallion, starting as low as $25.29.