Flame retardants are prevalent in many aspects of our lives:
•In upholstered furniture
•Curtaining
•Car seating
•The work place
•Transportation
How Do Textiles Burn?
Cellulose decomposes (in oxygen) to tarry depolymerization products, notably levoglucosan
• Then to volatile combustible products such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and hydrocarbons
•Flammable gases ignite
•After flaming, the carbonised residue slowly oxidises (smoulders) until it has been consumed
The Action of a Phosphorus Flame Retardant
There are Potentially Four ways of Disrupting Combustion
•Removal of heat or application of cooling achieved by treating the material with heat absorbing materials.
•Increase in pyrolysis temperature i.e. glass fibre, aramids, carbon fibres
•Elimination of oxygen from combustion zone i.e. halogens
•Prevent evaporation i.e. form char – Phosphorus
• Application of ignition source
•Formation of phosphorus pentoxide and phosphoric acid
•Dehydration of cellulose occurs
•Dehydration reduces the temperature of decomposition (275-325°C as opposed to 375°C for untreated cotton)
