Fabrics with an integrated fire barrier are materials that include fire protection incorporated directly into their structure. This barrier is designed to prevent or delay the initiation and spread of flames while providing greater fire resistance than conventional materials.

These fabrics often contain flame retardants or chemical treatments that make them more resistant to fire. Fire retardants are chemicals that are applied to the fabric or incorporated into the fiber during manufacturing to improve its fire-fighting properties.

They can act in different ways, for example:

1. Retarding Burning: Flame retardants can delay the burning process, preventing the flames from spreading rapidly through the fabric.

2. Forming a protective layer: Some flame retardants can form an insulating layer when exposed to heat, thereby protecting the underlying fabric and slowing the spread of heat.

3. Release of Inert Gases: Some flame retardants may release inert gases, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, which help to lower the oxygen concentration around the fabric, thus hindering combustion.

The main objective of fabrics with integrated fire barrier is to provide increased fire safety in various contexts, such as in home furnishings, protective clothing, curtain or roofing fabrics, upholstery and other products where the risk of fire is a concern.

These fabrics are also used in the automotive and aerospace industries where it is essential to ensure high safety standards during accidents or emergencies which may involve exposure to fire.