I never realized until coming across this video that I’ve never seen the different materials burn either. Thanks so much for doing this! Great visualization that all fire performers should see!
Me neither! And honestly it was shocking to me that the 60/40 behaved so much like the 100% polyester. The line I’d heard before about blends was that they react like a combination of both materials but nothing more specific. It was good to see what that looked like in action.
@@DrexFactor Apart from the sticking problem. cotton burns at around 300 degrees, while synthetics burn at nearer 700. Looking at all the factors, including weight, most people have burnt the frays off their jeans while wearing them and not given a second thought to putting them out with their hands. While even a single blob of molten synthetic will stick and leave a nasty burn, even if it is not still alight.
@@wilsjane also a good point is the fact that synthetics have a dangerous tendency to burn much faster, because tests have shown that home fires reach inescapable levels in five minutes when the furniture burning is synthetic, because it produces flammable fumes when burning
@@wyster14 The problem here is that they do not reach their complete combustion temperature. This results in dense hot smoke that also contains high levels of hydrocyanic acid. Inhaled, it can destroy your lungs, swell and cut off the airways, while the toxins can render you unconscious in as little as 20 seconds.
What about the way the fabric is made (woven vs knit?) would that make a difference in my 100% cotton fabric? Obviously the knitted one had more « air » through it and might burn a bit faster, but what are your thoughts?
Great work, really happy to see you doing stuff like this. The Matrix blankets are great. It doesn't seem like good science to imply duvyteen's won't hold up well because of the experiments done here. It just is not a realistic use case scenario that someone is going to expose any blanket to 10 seconds of direct flame, and especially not the very lot BTUs output that little torch puts out. A better experiment would be something like repeated exposure to 3 seconds of poi head level direct flame maybe. Or just not make any suggestions on what the long term is based on these experiments (but it is 100% true the Matrix blanket will out last a duvyteen). Other really important variables artist should know about is that; the fabric weight used in Duvyteen blankets varies, the chemical treatment can be washed out, and there is a big price difference between Duvyteen and Matrix blankets. Again, I love the Matrix blankets and they are great. But this video seemed a bit like a commercial for Matrix blankets that kind of buried the lead which was supposed to talk about Cotton vs Polyester burn tests. You can also serge the edge of the Duvyteen so the frayed bits are contained. That will help the edge test. Did you test the reflective edges of the Matrix blanket? I have no idea how they hold up, but seems odd that this was missing. It would also be good to use a lighter color Matrix blanket to see any charring or even discoloration based on the torch. Really hard to see small amounts of degradation on such a dark color. Doubt there was any but science. On the main topic - the tightness of the weave and material thickness definitely make a big difference on the thermal absorption/transfer rates, which will effect the continued burning rate vs self extinguishing. Just using old cut up clothes, doesn't control much for these, but I get that is a tough one. Again great work getting experiments done and out there.
I'm so pissed I was tending a fire with the mates in the weekend and wore a modern hockey Canada Jersey.... now an NHL or any other Jersey would've probably been thick enough but Nike cheaps out and makes them like really thin polyester on majority areas around the Jersey... Burned a middle hole right through the back.... I lost a good Jersey on this one... but now I've learned....NEVER WEAR ANYTHING NIKE around a fire or welding- all of their stuff is damn while near 100% polyester
If any fuel burns on polyester, it will still melt and stick to your skin like treacle. If your performance results in a lot of transfer, the only safe clothing that you can leave to burn out is real leather, preferably cowhide that gives better protection from the heat. You need to check the timing out, to prevent your safety spotter from intervening when it is unnecessary.
I never realized until coming across this video that I’ve never seen the different materials burn either. Thanks so much for doing this! Great visualization that all fire performers should see!
Me neither! And honestly it was shocking to me that the 60/40 behaved so much like the 100% polyester. The line I’d heard before about blends was that they react like a combination of both materials but nothing more specific. It was good to see what that looked like in action.
Add in the possibility of a bit of fuel transfer to each of these and imagine how much worse of a bad day the synthetics can be.
Yuuuuuup!
Great video! I’ve yet to get fire poi, but this was still very helpful 😁
Glad to hear it!
The other thing to consider is with the polyester , you are also dealing with hot melted plastic sticking to your skin. Not fun!
Yup! I mention that in the conclusion. It’s still burning as it’s sticking to your skin, so the burn will be more severe. Not good!
@@fisty539 ouuuuuuuuuuuuuch!
@@DrexFactor Apart from the sticking problem. cotton burns at around 300 degrees, while synthetics burn at nearer 700.
Looking at all the factors, including weight, most people have burnt the frays off their jeans while wearing them and not given a second thought to putting them out with their hands. While even a single blob of molten synthetic will stick and leave a nasty burn, even if it is not still alight.
@@wilsjane also a good point is the fact that synthetics have a dangerous tendency to burn much faster, because tests have shown that home fires reach inescapable levels in five minutes when the furniture burning is synthetic, because it produces flammable fumes when burning
@@wyster14 The problem here is that they do not reach their complete combustion temperature. This results in dense hot smoke that also contains high levels of hydrocyanic acid. Inhaled, it can destroy your lungs, swell and cut off the airways, while the toxins can render you unconscious in as little as 20 seconds.
Can you tell me if Rayon material is safe to wear?
My renfair outfit is made using Rayon, and I want to make sure it's safe for me to interact with.
What about the way the fabric is made (woven vs knit?) would that make a difference in my 100% cotton fabric? Obviously the knitted one had more « air » through it and might burn a bit faster, but what are your thoughts?
The safest cotton is denim, due to the tight weave. You can tell your safety spotter to count to 5 before intervening if it does not burn out.
Great work, really happy to see you doing stuff like this.
The Matrix blankets are great. It doesn't seem like good science to imply duvyteen's won't hold up well because of the experiments done here. It just is not a realistic use case scenario that someone is going to expose any blanket to 10 seconds of direct flame, and especially not the very lot BTUs output that little torch puts out. A better experiment would be something like repeated exposure to 3 seconds of poi head level direct flame maybe. Or just not make any suggestions on what the long term is based on these experiments (but it is 100% true the Matrix blanket will out last a duvyteen).
Other really important variables artist should know about is that; the fabric weight used in Duvyteen blankets varies, the chemical treatment can be washed out, and there is a big price difference between Duvyteen and Matrix blankets. Again, I love the Matrix blankets and they are great. But this video seemed a bit like a commercial for Matrix blankets that kind of buried the lead which was supposed to talk about Cotton vs Polyester burn tests.
You can also serge the edge of the Duvyteen so the frayed bits are contained. That will help the edge test.
Did you test the reflective edges of the Matrix blanket? I have no idea how they hold up, but seems odd that this was missing.
It would also be good to use a lighter color Matrix blanket to see any charring or even discoloration based on the torch. Really hard to see small amounts of degradation on such a dark color. Doubt there was any but science.
On the main topic - the tightness of the weave and material thickness definitely make a big difference on the thermal absorption/transfer rates, which will effect the continued burning rate vs self extinguishing. Just using old cut up clothes, doesn't control much for these, but I get that is a tough one.
Again great work getting experiments done and out there.
I'm so pissed I was tending a fire with the mates in the weekend and wore a modern hockey Canada Jersey.... now an NHL or any other Jersey would've probably been thick enough but Nike cheaps out and makes them like really thin polyester on majority areas around the Jersey...
Burned a middle hole right through the back.... I lost a good Jersey on this one... but now I've learned....NEVER WEAR ANYTHING NIKE around a fire or welding- all of their stuff is damn while near 100% polyester
Does spraying polyester clothing with fire retardant prevent burns/melting on the skin?
If any fuel burns on polyester, it will still melt and stick to your skin like treacle.
If your performance results in a lot of transfer, the only safe clothing that you can leave to burn out is real leather, preferably cowhide that gives better protection from the heat.
You need to check the timing out, to prevent your safety spotter from intervening when it is unnecessary.
@@wilsjane Thank you!!
@EagleStryker1 thank you for sharing this information!
Would pure silk in your outfit melt or burn quickly ?
Pure silk burns, if it melts, it’s not silk
It's natural fibers so it'll burn if its 100% silk
Just say no to polyester sleepwear!
jeanse
This video is 18mins to answer a 2 min question... good job.
It's a great video. When your poi skills are at this level come back and join the friendly conversations!
Took 20 mins to run the test...y’all are getting a great deal here!
Thank you SO MUCH for doing this so we don't have to find out the hard way. Great info!