Mechanism of Flame Retardant Finishes
FLAME RETARDENT FINISHES
Anju Singh
Pursuing M.Sc. in Fabric and Apparel Science
Delhi University, India
Email:
[email protected]1. Explain mechanism of combustion of fire:
Combustion is an exothermic process that requires three components
1. Heat
2. Oxygen
3. A suitable fuel
When left unchecked, combustion becomes self catalyzing and will continue until the
oxygen, the fuel supply or the excess heat is depleted.
When heat is applied, the fiber’s temperature increases until the pyrolysis temperature, Tp,
is reached. At this temperature, the fiber undergoes irreversible chemical changes,
producing non flammable gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor and the higher oxides of
nitrogen and sulfur), carbonaceous char, tars (liquid condensates) and flammable gases
(carbon monoxide, hydrogen and many oxidisable organic molecules).
As the temperature continues to rise, the tars also pyrolyse, producing, more non- flammable
gases, char and flammable gases. Eventually, the combustion temperature, Tc, is achieved.
At this point, the flammable gases combine with oxygen in process called combustion,
which is a series of gas phase free radical reactions.
These reactions are highly exothermic and produce large amounts of heat and light. The heat
generated by the combustion process provides the additional thermal energy needed to
continue the pyrolysis of the fiber, thereby supplying one more flammable gases for
combustion and perpetuating the reaction. The burning behavior of textiles is determined
more by the speed or rate of heat release than by the amount of this heat.
2. What are the various approaches used for disruption of
combustion cycle:
The various methods for disruption of combustion cycle are:
A. To provide a heat sink on or in the fiber by use of materials that thermally decomposes
through strongly endothermic reactions. If enough heat can be absorbed by these reactions, the
pyrolysis temperature of the fiber is not reached and no combustion takes place. Examples of this
method are the use of aluminium hydroxide or ‘alumina trihydrate’ and calcium carbonate as
fillers in polymers and coatings. (FIG.8.3)
B. To apply a material that forms an insulating layer around the fiber at temperatures below the
fiber pyrolysis temperature. Boric acid and its hydrated salts function in this capacity. Fig 8.4
When heated, these low melting compounds release water vapor and produce foamed glassy
surface on the fiber, insulating the fiber from the applied heat and oxygen.
C. To achieve flame retardancy is to influence the pyrolysis reaction to produce less flammable
volatiles and more residual char. This ‘condensed phase’ mechanism can be seen in the action of
phosphorous- containing flame retardants which, after having produced phosphoric acid through
thermal decomposition, crosslink with hydroxyl-containing polymers thereby altering the
pyrolysis to yield less flammable by-products. FIG* 8.5
But there is also other explanation for the first step of this dehydration, including single
esterification without cross linking, for example, of the primary hydroxyl group in the C-
6position of the cellulose units. The phosphorous esters catalyze the dehydration,
And prevent the formation of undesired laevoglucose, the precursor of flammable volatiles.
Compare Condensed and Gas Phase Mechanism for Flame
Retardancy:
Type of mechanism Condensed phase Gas phase
Pyrolysis chemistry Flame chemistry
Type of chemistry
involved
Typical type of synergism P/N Sb/Br or Sb/Cl
Effective for fiber type Mainly cellulose, also All kinds of fibers,
wool, catalyzing their because their flame
dehydration to char chemistry is similar
(radical transfer
reactions)
Very effective because Fixation with binder
dehydration and changes textiles
carbonization decrease properties such as handle
the formation of and drape, preferably for
burnable volatiles back coating for
example of furnishing
Particularities fabrics and carpets
If for durable flame Relatively simple,
retardancy then standard methods of
demanding multi step coating, but viscosity
Application process process control is important
Antimony oxide and
organic halogen
With durable flame donators (DBDPO and
retardancy, HCBC) are discussed as
formaldehyde emission problems (for
during curing and after eg.Possibility of
finishing ,phosphorous generating poly
compounds in the waste halogenated dioxins and
Environment toxicity water furans)
