Investigation of synergistic effect of boron on fire retardancy of cotton fabrics

Abstract

This study investigates synergistic fire retardancy effect of boron on cotton fabrics. Three types of boron compounds were added to fire retardant solution composed of an organic phosphorus compound and urea based cross-linking agent. Fabrics were treated with fire retardant solution, washed and analyzed by SEM/EDX, TGA and LOI methods. Durability of boron on fabrics was also investigated by boron analysis in washing water. The results revealed that treated fabrics turn out to be nonflammable; LOI>45. The highest LOI for fabrics treated and 5 times washed was achieved when the fire retardant solution composed of 15 % phousporous compound, 12 % cross-linking agent and 1 % borax pentahydrate was used. Above 98 % of boron remained within fabric structure after washing. This is an indicator for boron to be used as fire retardant material in industrial applications of cotton fabrics.