Quote Originally Posted by Chas View Post
Tiny - I think this X Marks thread will tell you everything:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/page/material_chart.php

Regards

Chas
Yo Chas...could we get 100% wool added to that table?

BTW guys...plastic of any kind will at least "bead" if a spark hits it. A small area will melt, may burn through a layer, may simply harden under the contact area, or light and spread. Cotton, depending on the weave and how fuzzy it is, may smolder, light and spread, and may leave a hole depending on how large/hot the spark was. In general, natural fibers and flame-retardant synthetic fibers will be more resistant to fire, and do not burn as slow as plastic-derived fibers (I don't see anyone wearing a fiberglass kilt any time soon, tho ). I never, ever wear synthetic clothing when I weld...only cotton, with a leather outer layer, for exactly the burn/stick/fuse-to-flesh risk. Plastics are also at risk of melting or hardening when exposed to high heat, including paint strippers (aka heat guns, and some overly hot hair dryers), campfires, stoves, ovens, candles, fabrication sparks and slag, hot drill bits, and a horde of other hot items. If you plan to wear your kilt around anything particularly hot (like a campfire), maybe you're better off with a natural fiber.

Wool also remains insulating when wet, and will become relatively wind-proof as well. Cotton is a nightmare. Some synthetics are fine in the cold & when wet, others aren't. I have base layers in both, and all my "technical" outerwear is synthetic of one sort or another...just choose what's appropriate, and take appropriate care of it.

-Sean