Flame retardant treated flax fibre reinforced phenolic composites: Ageing and thermal characteristics

In this study, flax composites were prepared from flax fabric and phenolic resin. Chemical treatments were imparted to the fabric to improve adhesion between the fabric and the phenolic matrix. Diammonium phosphate was applied to improve the flammability of the composites. The thermal and flammability properties of the untreated, chemically treated, and flame retardant (FR) treated flax fabric reinforced phenolic composites were studied. Ageing studies were carried out by subjecting the composites to varying conditions of temperature and humidity in an environmental chamber for 2 weeks. FR treatment of flax fabric was shown to be very effective in improving flame retardancy of the composites due to decreased peak heat release rate (PHRR) and smoke production rate (SPR). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of composites showed that after FR treatment, the decomposition temperatures shifted to lower temperatures. Ageing studies revealed that the mechanical properties of untreated, chemically treated and FR treated composites decreased with an increase in ageing temperature.     

Microintumescent mechanism of flame‐retardant water‐based chitosan–ammonium polyphosphate multilayer nanocoating on cotton fabric

Layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly of nanocoatings on fabric substrates has been very successful in terms of reduction of flammability. In particular, an LbL system comprised ammonium polyphosphate as the polyanion and chitosan as the polycation, applied to cotton fabric, dramatically reduced cotton flammability. At this point, the fire‐retardant (FR) mechanism of action of this system has never been fully elucidated. Sonicated and nonsonicated coated cotton fabrics were evaluated using a vertical flame test and mass loss calorimeter. Coating morphology was investigated before and after burning. Thermal analyses and chemical analyses in the condensed phase (and in the gas phase) were conducted to reveal the FR mechanism of action. At the cotton surface, a combination of both condensed (formation of aromatic char) and gas phase (release of water and highly flammable gases) mechanisms impart the FR behavior, promoting a kind of “microintumescence” phenomenon. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43783.     

Flame‐retardant finishing in cotton fabrics using zinc oxide co‐catalyst

In this article, N‐Methylol dimethylphosphonopropionamide (FR) in combination with a melamine resin (CL), phosphoric acid (PA) catalyst and zinc oxide (ZnO) or nano‐ZnO co‐catalyst were used (FR‐CL‐PA‐ZnO or nano‐ZnO system) to impart flame‐retardant property on cotton fabrics. FR‐CL or FR‐CL‐PA‐treated cotton specimen showed roughened and wrinkled fabric surface morphology, which was caused by the attack of the FR with slightly acidity. In addition, FTIR analysis showed some new characteristic peaks, carbonyl, CH₂ rocking and CH₃ asymmetric and CH₂ symmetric stretching bands, in the chemical structure of treated cotton specimens. Apart from these, the flame ignited on the flame‐retardant‐treated fabrics (without subjected to any post‐wet treatment) extinguished right after the removal of ignition source. However, FR‐CL treated specimens were no longer flame‐resistant when the specimens subjected to neutralization and/or home laundering, while FR‐CL‐PA treated specimens showed opposite results. By using 0.2% and 0.4% of ZnO or nano‐ZnO as co‐catalyst, the flame spread rate of neutralized and/or laundered test specimens decreased, even the specimens were undergone 10 home laundering cycles. Moreover, flame‐retardant‐treated cotton specimens had low breaking load and tearing strength resulting from side effects of the crosslinking agent used, while addition of ZnO or nano‐ZnO co‐catalyst could compensates for the reduction. Furthermore, the free formaldehyde content was dropped when ZnO and nano‐ZnO co‐catalyst was added in the treatment. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Correlation between limiting oxygen index and phosphorus/nitrogen content of cotton fabrics treated with a hydroxy‐functional organophosphorus flame‐retarding agent and dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea

The combination of a hydroxyl‐functional organophosphorus flame‐retarding agent (FR) and dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) was used as a durable flame‐retardant finish system for cotton fabrics. DMDHEU functions as a binder between FR and cotton cellulose, thus making this flame‐retarding system durable to home laundering. DMDHEU also provides nitrogen to this system, therefore enhances its performance. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) is one of the most commonly used parameters to indicate the flammability of textiles and other polymeric materials. In this research, we investigated the correlation between LOI and phosphorus/nitrogen content on the cotton fabric treated with that durable flame‐retardant system. Phosphorus concentration on the fabric was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, whereas the nitrogen content was determined indirectly by measuring the carbonyl band intensity in the infrared spectra of the treated fabric. We developed a statistical model to predict LOI of the cotton fabric treated with FR and DMDHEU based on the phosphorus concentration and the intensity of carbonyl band of DMDHEU on cotton. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1885–1890, 2003     

The flame retardancy and mechanical properties of jute/polypropylene composites enhanced by ammonium polyphosphate/polypropylene powder

Surface flame retarded jute/polypropylene composites (J/P/A) were prepared via a modified strategy: the mixture of PP and APP powder was spread over the surface of jute/PP nonwoven felts, and then transformed into the flame retarded layer by the hot pressing process. The flame retardancy and thermal properties of composites were analyzed by limit oxygen index (LOI), horizontal burning rate (HBR), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We demonstrated that the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of composites was significantly improved compared with those obtained by presoaking the nonwoven fiber felts in flame retardant (FR) solvent before hot pressing. The mechanism of thermal degradation of jute fiber and flame‐retardant mechanism of composites were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43889.     

Combination of a hydroxy‐functional organophosphorus oligomer and a multifunctional carboxylic acid as a flame retardant finishing system for cotton: Part II. Formation of calcium salt during laundering

Multifunctional carboxylic acids, such as 1,2,3,4‐butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), were used to bond a hydroxy‐functional organophosphorus oligomer (FR) to cotton fabric in the presence of a catalyst, such as sodium hypophosphite (NaH₂PO₂). Previously, it was found that the cotton fabric treated with FR and BTCA showed a high level of phosphorus retention after one home laundering cycle. However, the flame retardant properties quickly deteriorated as the number of home laundering cycles was increased. In this research, it was found that the free carboxylic acid groups bound to the cotton fabric form an insoluble calcium salt during home laundering, thus diminishing the flame retardant properties of the treated cotton fabric. It was also found that the free carboxylic acid groups on the treated cotton fabric were esterified by triethanolamine (TEA), and that the formation of calcium salt on the fabric was suppressed by the esterification of the free carboxylic acid groups by TEA. The cotton fabric treated with BTCA and the hydroxy‐functional organophosphorus oligomer significantly improved its flame retardance when a new catalyst system consisting of hypophosphorous acid (H₃PO₂) and TEA was used in the system. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fire and thermal properties of PA 66 resin treated with poly‐N‐aniline‐phenyl phosphamide as a flame retardant

In this study, a halogen‐free phosphorous‐nitrogen synergistic flame retardant, poly‐N‐aniline‐phenyl phosphamide (PDPPD), was synthesized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and elemental analysis data confirmed the structure of PDPPD. The essential FR PA66 was polymerized with PA66 pre‐polymer and PDPPD pre‐polymer, prepared from PDPPD and adipic acid. The limit oxygen index and UL‐94 test results of FR PA66 reached 28% and V‐0, respectively, when the contents of PDPPD pre‐polymer were 4.5 wt%. The thermo‐gravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry results demonstrated that the initial decomposition temperature of FR PA66 was 43 °C lower than that of pristine PA66 from 385 to 342 °C; however, the peak decomposition temperature was 36 °C higher than that of pure PA66 from 437 to 473 °C, when the contents of PDPPD pre‐polymer reached 4.5 wt%. Flame retardant mechanism was studied by cone calorimeter testing and SEM‐EDX, confirming that the heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), and total smoke product (TSP) decreased slightly, and PDPPD followed the gas phase flame retardant mechanism. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of titanium dioxide on the flame‐retardant finishing of cotton fabric

In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) or nano titanium dioxide (nano‐TiO₂) was used as a cocatalyst in the flame‐retardant (FR) formulation of N‐methylol dimethylphosphonopropionamide (Pyrovatex CP New, FR), melamine resin [Knittex CHN, crosslinking agent (CL)], and phosphoric acid (PA) for cotton fabrics to improve the treatment effectiveness and minimize the side effects of the treatment. For FR‐treated cotton fabrics, the flame extinguished right after removal of the ignition source with no flame spreading. However, after neutralization and/or home laundering, FR–CL‐treated specimens failed the flammability test, whereas the opposite results were obtained from FR–CL–PA‐treated specimens. A noticeable result was that the TiO₂/nano‐TiO₂ cocatalyst had a significant effect on decreasing the flame‐spread rate. Thermal analysis found that the FR‐treated specimens without wet posttreatment showed two endothermic peaks representing the phosphorylation of cellulose and acid‐catalyzed dehydration. In addition, the treated fabrics showed some new characteristic peaks in their chemical structures; these were interpreted as carbonyl bands, CH₂ rocking bands, and CH₃ asymmetric and CH₂ symmetric stretching. The surface morphology of the FR–CL–PA‐treated cotton specimens showed a roughened and wrinkled fabric surface with a high deposition of the finishing agent that had a lower breaking load and tearing strength, which resulted from the side effects of the CL used. However, the addition of a TiO₂ or nano‐TiO₂ cocatalyst could compensate for the reduction in the tensile strength. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effect of chicken‐feather protein‐based flame retardant on flame retarding performance of cotton fabric

A new kind of eco‐friendly chicken‐feather protein‐based phosphorus–nitrogen‐containing flame retardant was synthesized successfully with chicken‐feather protein, melamine, sodium pyrophosphate, and glyoxal. And its structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the thermogravimetry of the agent was analyzed. Then the flame retarding performances of the chicken‐feather protein‐based flame retardant and in combination with the borax and boric acid in application to a woven cotton fabric were investigated by the vertical flammability test and limited oxygen index test. In addition, the surface morphologies of the treated and untreated fabrics were conducted by the scanning electron micrographs (SEM), and the thermogravimetric analyses of the treated and untreated cotton were explored, and the surface morphologies of char areas of the treated and untreated fabrics after burnt were tested by the SEM. The results showed that the flame retardancy of the cotton fabric treated by the chicken‐feather protein‐based flame retardant in combination with borax and boric acid was improved further, and the combination of the chicken‐feather protein‐based flame retardant and borax and boric acid could facilitate to form a homogenous and compact intumescing char layer, and the combination of them plays a good synergistic effect in the improvement of the flame retardancy of the treated cotton fabric. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40584.     

Flexible and flame resistant poly(lactic acid)/organomontmorillonite nanocomposites

The PLA/OMMT nanocomposites were produced using a melt compounding technique with isopropylated triaryl phosphate ester flame retardant (FR; 10–30 parts per 100 resin). The flammability of the PLA/OMMT composites was evaluated with an Underwriter Laboratory (UL‐94) vertical burning test, and their char morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal properties of the PLA/OMMT were characterized with a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The thermal analyses showed that adding FR reduced the decomposition onset temperature (T_o) of PLA/OMMT. Both PLA/OMMT/FR20 and PLA/OMMT/FR30 showed excellent flame retardant abilities, earning a V‐0 rating during the UL‐94 vertical burning test. A compact, coherent and continuous protective char layer was formed in the PLA/OMMT/FR nanocomposites. Additionally, the DSC results indicated that the flexibility of the PLA/OMMT composites increased after adding FR due to the FR‐induced plasticization. The impact strength of PLA/OMMT was greatly increased by the addition of FR. Flexible PLA nanocomposites with high flame resistance were successfully produced. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41253.     

Thermal stability,flame retardance,and mechanical properties of polyamide 66 modified by a nitrogen–phosphorous reacting flame retardant

Flame‐retardant polyamide 66 (PA66) was prepared by the polymerization between PA66 prepolymer and N‐benzoic acid (ethyl‐N‐benzoic acid formamide) phosphamide (NENP). Compared with the pure PA66, the flame‐retardant PA66 exhibited better thermal stability, as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis results. The limiting oxygen index was 28% and the UL‐94 test results of the flame‐retardant PA66 indicated a V‐0 rating when the content of the NENP prepolymer was 5 wt %. The flammability and flame‐retardant mechanism of PA66 were also studied with cone calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, respectively. The mechanical properties results show that the flame‐retardant PA66 resin had favorable mechanical properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43538.     

石墨烯微胶囊/海藻酸钙对涤纶织物的阻燃处理

为提高涤纶织物的阻燃性能,并解决涤纶织物的熔滴现象,本文采用石墨烯微胶囊与海藻酸钠共混制备出阻燃涂覆液,采用浸轧法制备阻燃涂覆涤纶织物。考察涂覆涤纶织物的阻燃性能,力学性能以及热学性能,结果表明：25g/L的海藻酸钠和1g的石墨烯微胶囊阻燃涂覆处理后的涤纶织物的极限氧指数由19.7%,上升到28.34%,达到难燃织物的标准。整理后的涤纶织物达到了V-0标准,涤纶织物燃烧后产生的熔滴的现象消失。织物的断裂强力由135.21N降低到了106.77N。涂覆处理前后,织物达到最大热分解速率的温度未产生明显变化,残炭率由12.07%上升到了26.98%,最大质量损失速率由1.79%/℃降低到了0.96%/℃。同时整理前后涤纶织物的热焓值由58.4J/g上升至68.4J/g。织物的导热系数由0.587 W/cm.℃×10_-4^提高到0.842W/cm.℃×10_-4^{,热学性能得到了充分的提高。}织物燃烧后所形成的残炭由无到连续且致密。     

A novel halogen‐free and formaldehyde‐free flame retardant for cotton fabrics

A novel halogen‐free and formaldehyde‐free flame retardant (FR), which contains phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon, was synthesized for cotton fabrics considering the synergistic effect of phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon. The structure of the new FR was characterized by Fourier‐trans‐form infrared spectroscopy, and the surface morphology of the treated fibre was observed using scanning electron microscope. The thermal property of the FR treated cotton fabric was studied through thermal gravimetric analysis. The TG results indicate that the FR can protect cotton fabric from fire to a certain degree. The vertical flammability test and limiting oxygen index results further indicate that the FR has excellent FR properties. Finally, the durability and other performance properties of the treated fabric were studied and the results show that the new materials can be used as a semi‐durable FR for cellulosic fibres. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and application of a sulfur‐containing phosphoric amide flame retardant for nylon fabric

A sulfur‐containing flame retardant (SFR) was synthesized from polyphosphoric acid, epoxy chloropropane, and thiourea. Using a water‐soluble isocyanate‐terminated (WIT) cross‐linker, the flame retardant was applied as a flame‐retardant finishing on nylon fabric. WIT is a compound that not only cross‐links SFR and nylon cellulose but also contains no formaldehyde. Comparisons of the main performances of SFR with those of N‐methyloldimethylphosphonopropionamide (known as ‘Pyrovatex CP’) and a bicyclic phosphonite (known as ‘Antiblaze 19T’) indicate that the presence of sulfur in SFR plays a crucial role in decreasing the flammability of the nylon fabric. The limiting oxygen index value and damaged carbon length of the finished nylon fabric were 29.4% and 5.7 cm, respectively, when the concentrations of SFR and WIT were 200 and 40 g/L, respectively, and the baking temperature and time were 150 °C and 3 min, respectively. After 10 laundry cycles, the fabric still retains some flame retardancy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A facile one‐step synthesis of flame‐retardant coatings on cotton fabric via ultrasound irradiation

This article reports a facile one‐step methodology to increase fire resistance properties of cotton fabric. The flame‐retardant coating for cotton fabric was synthesized with methyltriethoxysilane and organophosphates (M102B) through an ultrasound irradiation process. The coating structure and surface morphology of uncoated and coated fabrics were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope, respectively. The flame‐retardant properties, bending modulus, air permeability and thermal stability were studied by vertical burning test, cantilever method, air permeability test and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). As a result, the cotton fabric coated with 29.2% (mass increased) of flame‐retardant coating was able to balance the flame retardant property and wearing comfort of the fabrics. The TGA results showed that the residue char of cotton was greatly enhanced after treatment with the coating, which has a high char forming effect on cellulose during testing. Furthermore, flame‐retardant property of coated fabrics did not change significantly after 10 washing cycles. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45114.     

Tensile and lignocellulosic properties of Prosopis chilensis natural fabric

The uniaxial natural fabric Prosopis chilensis was treated with NaOH (alkali), poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and polycarbonate (PC) solutions. The Prosopis chilensis fabric belongs to Leguminosae family. The properties of ligno‐cellulosic fabric and the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment were evaluated using thermal analysis by means of thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis, Autonated total reflection‐fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Tensile properties of the untreated and fabric treated with NaOH, PVA, and PC were also studied to assess their performance. The fabric has good thermal resistance on alkali treatment. The FTIR method indicates lowering the hemi cellulose and lignin content by alkali treatment. Further, the XRD studies reveal that crystallinity of the fabric increases on alkali treatment. Tensile properties of the fabric were enhanced on treatments with NaOH, PVA, and PC treatments. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synergistic flame‐retardant effect of phosphaphenanthrene derivative and aluminum diethylphosphinate in glass fiber reinforced polyamide 66

The synergistic flame‐retardant (FR) effect of 1,1′‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐metheylene‐bis(9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide‐2‐hydroxypropan‐1‐yl) (DPOH) and aluminum diethylphosphinate (AlPi) composites on glass fiber reinforced polyamide 66 (PA) was investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) tests, vertical burning (UL94) tests, and cone calorimeter tests. DPOH/AlPi system with 1:1 mass ratio increased UL94 ratings, suppressed heat release rate and increased residue yields of PA composites, and DPOH/AlPi system also imposed high LOI values and lower total heat release values to PA composites. All these results verified excellent synergistic FR effect between DPOH and AlPi. The reason of DPOH/AlPi system with higher flame‐retardant efficiency was caused by the quenching effect as good as that of DPOH and also by the higher charring effect than that of AlPi. DPOH/AlPi system possesses good flame retardancy in gas phase and also the strengthened FR effect in condensed phase compared with DPOH and AlPi alone, which led to excellent synergistic FR effect between the two components DPOH and AlPi. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45126.     

Investigation into the flame retardant properties of soybean fabric treated with sulphamic acid

The effect of sulfamic acid and urea treatments on the flame retardant properties of soybean fabric has been investigated by Limiting Oxygen Index (L.O.I.), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) in order to characterize both the bulk and surface properties. The sulfamic acid finish significantly reduced the soybean fabric flammability and appeared to function in the solid phase with increased char formation. Incorporation of urea into the formulation increased the level of reaction and associated weight gain. However, the wash durability of the sulfamic acid modification of the soybean fabric was limited, but after treatment with a cationic fixing agent, Matexil FC‐ER significantly increased the wash fastness and related flame retardant effect. XPS analysis demonstrated the substantivity of the cationic fixing agent to soybean fiber surface and its binding effect on the sulfamate at the fiber surface. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Application of poly(diphenolic acid‐phenyl phosphate)‐based layer by layer nanocoating in flame retardant ramie fabrics

Poly(diphenolic acid‐phenyl phosphate) [poly(DPA‐PDCP)], obtained from diphenolic acid (a well‐known biomass chemical), was used together with polyethylenimine (PEI) to construct a flame retardant surface coating for ramie fabric using layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDX) were used to confirm the successful formation of layer by layer assembly. Assessment of the thermal and flammability properties for poly(DPA‐PDCP)/PEI‐coated ramie fabrics showed that the thermal stability, flame retardancy, and residual char were enhanced as the concentration of poly(DPA‐PDCP) and the BL number in the LbL process increased as well as the treatment of KH550 was applied. SEM and EDX analysis of the char residue confirmed further the intumescent flame retardant mechanism. This work demonstrated the great potentials of poly(DPA‐PDCP)/PEI flame retardant nanocoating constructed by LbL assembly method in the application of ramie fabric. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44795.     

Preparation of novel dendritic flame‐retardant polymer and its application in EPDM composites

Flame‐retardant polymer, dendritic tetramethylolphosphonium chloride (FR‐DTHPC), was prepared by condensation polymerization between THPC, the monomer we prepared, and boric acid. It was then characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, intrinsic viscosity, and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometer. This FR‐DTHPC was used in the preparation of flame‐retardant ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composites. Different types of EPDM/FR‐DTHPC composites were prepared with different amounts of FR‐DTHPC. Then, the cure characteristic, tensile properties, flame‐retardance, and thermal stability were researched and compared. Results showed that the addition of this novel additive can improve some mechanical and flame‐retardant properties of EPDM composites. Mechanisms of reinforcing and flame‐retardance were proposed. The dendritic polymer may reduce the amount and size of voids in EPDM composites, and thus may increase their tensile properties. Meanwhile, the degradation products from nitrogen, phosphorus, and boric acid in FR‐DTHPC can increase the amount of carbonaceous layers, and thus can inhibit the pyrolysis degree of EPDM composites during burning and improve their flame‐retardant performance. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40855.