
Fabric Flammability and Burn Time
Medium
Do "fireproof" baby clothes actually resist flames better than plain cotton? This project tests seven household fabrics in a propane barbecue. The goal is to find which one takes the longest to ignite.
You cut each fabric into identical squares. The seven types are:
- cotton
- silk
- denim
- rayon
- polyester
- cotton-polyester blend
- fireproof baby clothing
You place each square on a preheated barbecue shelf at 500 degrees F. Then you time how long it takes to catch fire.
The results are surprising. Cotton and silk last the longest at about 20 minutes. The fireproof baby clothing melts almost instantly on the hot surface.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that cotton will burn fastest and the baby clothing will take the longest time to ignite.
Method & Materials
You will cut seven different fabrics into multiple 4"x4" squares, put one square of each fabric directly onto the shelf of a preheated propane barbecue, and time how long it takes for each piece to catch on fire.
You will need seven different fabrics, a propane barbecue, a stopwatch, and tongs.
Results
The results of the experiment showed that cotton and silk take the longest time to burn, at 20 minutes per square, and that the baby clothes melted as soon as they touched the heat. This indicates that it would be safer for young children, and even adults, to wear cotton and silk.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting and unique because it tests the flammability of seven different fabrics in a propane barbecue, and the results can be used to inform people about which fabrics are safest to wear.
Also Consider
Experiment variations to consider include testing different temperatures and different sizes of fabric.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related videos
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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