Musou Black Fabric FR – fire retardant super black fabric

The world's blackest fabric that comes with fire-test documentation. Musou Black Fabric FR combines 99.80 % visible light absorption with documented fire-performance reports – a deep, non-reflective black for theatres, museums, exhibitions, concert venues and other public projects where both light control and fire documentation are part of the material decision.

Fabric FR in brief

• Visible light absorption 99.80 %
• Material: rayon base fabric + rayon pile, resin back-coated
• Nominal area density approx. 280 g/m²
• Thickness 1.55 mm (reference measurement – see note below)
• Width 1,090 mm – A4 sample or cut to length 0.2–43 m
• Optimised for visible light – for IR and LiDAR use choose IR Flock Sheet
• Made in Japan

A note on thickness: because of the structure of the fabric, the measured thickness varies slightly depending on the testing method. The manufacturer (Koyo Orient Japan) instructs that 1.55 mm be used as a reference measurement across all sales channels. The supplied EN test report states 2.0 mm, which is the result of that test's measurement method.

Fire-test documentation – please read carefully

Fabric FR is intended for projects where documented reaction-to-fire performance is part of the material-selection process. The supplied reports identify the tested product as Musou Black Fabric FR.

ASTM E84-25 (surface burning characteristics)

• Report: SGS SDHL260601182201HI, dated 25 June 2026
• Flame Spread Index (FSI) 20 · Smoke-Developed Index (SDI) 70
• Report conclusion: the tested sample meets the requirements of a Class A interior wall & ceiling finish category
• Test mounting: specimen adhered to fiber-cement board

EN 13501-1:2018 (reaction to fire classification)

• Report: SGS SDHL260601182301HI, dated 25 June 2026
• Classification B-s1_fl · critical flux ≥ 11 kW/m² · smoke 5.5 % × minutes
• Field of application in the report: A1 or A2 substrates, mechanical fixing, no joints

⚠️ Important limitation – do not skip this. The supplied EN 13501-1 classification is a flooring classification – that is what the fl suffix means. It must not be presented as a universal curtain, drape, wall or ceiling certification. Nor can we promise that the fabric meets the fire requirements of your specific venue: fire regulations, permitted classifications, installation methods and final approvals differ by country, venue and project.

How to proceed correctly: download the reports below and give them to your architect, venue technical manager, installer or fire authority for assessment. Compare the substrate, fixing method, joints and intended end use in the reports against your planned installation before ordering. Final approval always rests with the local authority or the responsible project professional – not with the material supplier.

Chemical safety: 6 SVHC substances above the 0.1 % threshold

The material contains six REACH substances of very high concern (SVHC) above the 0.1 % threshold. All six are boron compounds – together they form the fabric's flame-retardant treatment. They are not a contaminant; they are the property the product exists for.

Test report: SGS SHAEC24027210012, 4 December 2024 (PDF). The screening covered 242 SVHC substances on the ECHA Candidate List. A further 13 potential SVHC substances were tested – all below the 0.1 % threshold (Pass).

What this means for you: if your project is a public space, school, daycare or another environment with strict chemical requirements, check these substances against your procurement conditions before ordering. The full SGS report is available from the link above. If your restrictions rule out boron-based flame retardancy, tell us – we will point you to another material rather than sell you this one.

Why Fabric FR looks this black

Fabric FR uses vertically arranged rayon pile fibres, specialised black dyes and a three-dimensional textile structure. Incoming visible light enters the pile, reflects multiple times between fibres and is absorbed before it can return to the viewer. This is why the surface can look dramatically darker than conventional black fabric or stage velour.

The base fabric is resin back-coated, which reduces pile shedding and improves structural stability for large-format handling. The coating also makes the material less flexible than a non-coated textile.

Applications

• Theatres, set design and black-box spaces: backdrops, masking, stage curtains
• Museums, galleries and exhibitions: showcase backgrounds, object staging, immersive rooms
• Concert venues and events: technical masking, stage backgrounds
• Projection rooms and public presentation spaces: visible-light control
• Studios, TV production and large product shoots
• Premium retail and brand activations

Comparing the Musou Black fabrics

• Fabric FR – 99.80 %, the only one with fire-test documentation; the choice for public projects
• KIWAMI – blackest (99.905 %) when fire documentation is not required
• VL Flock Sheet – more affordable and more durable, for visible light
• IR Flock Sheet – for near-infrared, LiDAR and sensor development
• Musou Black paint – for rigid objects and shaped surfaces

See the full fabric range or the Musou Black world.

Ordering, samples and price

Made to order – price and lead time on request. We always recommend an A4 sample before a project order so you can assess the blackness, stiffness and handling in your own space. Project pricing is available for orders over 10 metres.

Order an A4 sample or request a project quote →

Include in your message: the venue and space, installation method and substrate, metres required, timeline, and any fire requirements specified for the project. With that we can quote in a single round – and tell you in advance if the material is not suitable for your case.

Handling and storage

• Do not place heavy objects on the fabric – pressure compresses the pile and reduces light absorption
• Pressure, abrasion and water reduce optical performance
• As a pile textile it can generate small particles; not suitable for cleanliness-critical environments or the internals of precision equipment
• For creases: indirect steam and gentle brushing with a soft brush. Do not let water droplets form – water can damage the material
• Rolls longer than 10 m ship wrapped around a metal frame so the pile is not compressed in transit

Frequently asked questions

Can I call this fabric fireproof?
Not as a general claim. Use the exact test results and classification rather than a broad statement. Fire compliance is always application-, jurisdiction- and installation-specific.

Does the EN report cover curtains and drapes?
No. The supplied EN 13501-1 classification is B-s1_fl and its field of application is flooring. It should not be presented as a universal curtain or drape certification. Provide the report to the venue's fire authority for assessment against the intended use.

What do the SVHC substances mean in practice?
Six boron compounds form the fabric's flame-retardant treatment. REACH requires disclosure when the concentration exceeds 0.1 %. The practical impact depends on the project: in most theatre, museum and studio settings it does not prevent use, but in public tenders and children's environments it must be checked against the procurement conditions.

Is Fabric FR suitable for a theatre or museum?
It is designed for exactly these projects because it combines an ultra-black surface with fire-test documentation. The project team must still confirm local requirements and the planned installation before purchase.

How does FR differ from KIWAMI?
They serve different priorities. FR is for projects where fire-test documentation is central. KIWAMI is slightly blacker (99.905 % vs 99.80 %) for applications where the FR specification is not required.

Can the fabric be cut and installed over large areas?
Yes. For large projects, validate the substrate, fixing method, pressure-free handling and required fire documentation before installation.

Is FR suitable for infrared applications?
No. FR is optimised for visible light. For IR, LiDAR and NIR use choose IR Flock Sheet.

Documents

• ASTM E84-25 test report (SGS, 25 June 2026)
• EN 13501-1:2018 classification report (SGS, 25 June 2026)
• SVHC test report (SGS SHAEC24027210012, 4 December 2024) – 242 candidate substances screened
• Earlier 2022 fire test report – EN 13773 class 1 / NFPA 701 / SOR/2016-194 (PDF, 11 pp.)
• Safety data sheet (SDS, EN)
• Durability test report (PDF)

Questions or a demo: get in touch – we serve theatres, museums, hotels and events with quotes and invoicing.