7

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International Conference - TEXSCI 2010 September 6-8, Liberec, Czech Republic
A STUDY OF ECO-FRIENDLY FLAME RETARDANT FINISH
FOR FURNITURE FABRICS

Yoliswa SIDLOYI
1
, Miroslav PRIL
1
, Lenka MARTNKOV
2
, Jakub WIENER
1
1
Technical University of Liberec, Faculty of Textile Engineering, Department of Textile Chemistry, Liberec,
Czech Republic
2
INOTEX spol. s r.o. , Dvr Krlov nad Labem, Czech Republic
E-mail : miroslav.prasil@tul.cz

Abstract
The aim of this work was flameproof finishing of two types of upholstery fabrics (100% polyester PES and blend
PES/cotton) with a similar square weight and construction by different application techniques impregnation and
back coating. The impregnation of these textiles was done by two flameproof agents (permanent and
semipermanent), the back-coatings were applied from paste and foam using conventional (Sb/Br-based) and eco-
friendly (Sb and halogen-free) flame retardant (FR) agents. Finished textile have been evaluated and compared in
terms of flammability and physiological parameters (air permeability, breathability).
Key words: flame retardant finish, eco-friendly agents

1. Introduction
The purpose of flame retardant is to impart resistence on the substrate to flame and protect
human lives from injuries. There has been some developments in flame retardant finishes for
polyester fabric and its blends [1]. Flame retardant finishes for synthetic fibres should either
promote char formation by reducing the thermoplasticity or enhance melt dripping so that the
drops can be extinguish away from the igniting flame.
Flame retardation of polyester/cellulosic blends is still a complex problem owing to the
differential thermal behaviour of polyester and cellulosic components. Most of the approaches
have limitations because of toxicity or difficulty in mantaining desirable aesthetic and
performance properties [2].
Environmental interests continue to question the usefulness of some systems in particular,
antimonybromine-based formulations [3]. Most textile products come in intimate contact to
human body or remain in nerby location. The risk assessment associated with textile processes
and products, in terms of volatile and gaseous emmission, is based on seriousness of the
effects on environment, ecology and living beings. A mojor concern is the health and safety of
human lives [4].
In textile, brominated fire retadants are widely used mainly in back coating formulation. We
studied also a new eco-friendly product and compared in terms of flammability, physiological
parameters (air permeability, breathability) and resulting colour shade [5].

2. Experimental
2.1 Materials
Material used in the experiment 100% polyester twill weave, the square weight 441 g/m
2
and
blended 65% polyester/35% cotton twill weave with the square weight of 458 g/m
2
. The
images of the used textiles are in the figures 1 4.

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International Conference - TEXSCI 2010 September 6-8, Liberec, Czech Republic


Fig. 1: Structure of 100 % polyester twill Fig. 2: Structure of 100 % polyester twill
weave (face) weave (back)


Fig. 3: Structure of 65% PES / 35% CO twill Fig. 4: Structure of 65% PES / 35% CO twill
weave (face) weave (back)

2.2 Used Fire Retardant Products
In this work, the following products used were produced by INOTEX (CZ), which is
characterized by:

Texaflam PE Concentrated: Wash permanent fire retardant applied by impregnation. It is
the mixture of phosphonate complexes, viscous liquid and non-ionic. Texaflam PE
concentrated is also an agent for permanent flameproof finish on 100 % polyester applied by
Thermosol process. It is also suitable for treatment clothing and technical fabrics, decorative
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International Conference - TEXSCI 2010 September 6-8, Liberec, Czech Republic
curtain fabrics. FR effect is resistant to water, shampooing, dry-cleaning, and washing up to
25 x 40C.

Texaflam BS: Agent for semi permanent flameproof finishing of cellulosic and synthetic
materials (PES, PA, PAN) and blends. It is suitable especially for furniture and upholstery
fabrics. Semi permanent FR-effect is ensured by polymeric film-forming agent resulting in
adhesivity of FR component on the fibre. FR effect is resistant to water, shampooing, and
drycleaning.

Texaflam XPE: Coating agent for semi-permanent flameproof finish of cellulosic (cotton,
viscose) and synthetic materials (PES, PA, PAN) and blends. Especially for furniture and
upholstery fabrics: woven textiles and knits. Synthetic polymers emulsion containing
Sb
2
O
3
/Br. Application by back coating (foam or paste).

Texaflam XPE ECO (Sb/Br free) paste: Ecofriendly phosphate-based halogen free,
antimony free and and formaldehyde free FR back-coating system determined mainly for
fabrics from natural fibers and their blends with synthetics. It is suitable mainly for upholstery
fabric for domestic and automotive applications. It is application by a paste technique - back
coating.

2.3 Procedure for the experiment
The laboratory machine Werner Mathis CH 8155 (Fig. 5) was used for the coating
application and impregnation. Impregnated baths were prepared after technical information of
INOTEX (CZ). Then the samples were dried and cured according to product and substrate.
E.g. 100% polyester and 65% PES/ 35% cotton twill weave strips were impregnated in a bath
containing 500 g/l Texaflam BS, 1g/l Texapal AA (wetting agent) and wet pick-up was a
minimum of 53% on 100% polyester twill weave and on 65% PES/ 35% cotton twill weave
wet pick-up was a minimum of 60%. The speed of the fabric was 0.38 m s
-1
and dried for
2 minutes at 100C, in a Werner Mathis CH 8155. Curing was done at 150C for 3 minutes.



Fig. 5: Fabric in a Werner Mathis CH 8155




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International Conference - TEXSCI 2010 September 6-8, Liberec, Czech Republic
3. Results and Discussion

Fire-retardant properties of original and finished fabrics with different agents were estimated
by using LOI-value and flammability and physiological parameters (air permeability,
breathability) tests determinations. The test results of 100% polyester twill weave studies
(tab.1) are compared with the results of 65% polyester/35% cotton twill weave studies (tab2.).

Table 1: Experimental results of 100% polyester twill weave
Sample

LOI /%/
warp / weft
Square Weight
(g/m
2
)
Air Permeability
(mm/s)
Breathability
(g/m
2
.Pa.h)
Original 21.9 / 19.8 441 343.2 0.18
PE Conc. 34.0 / 30.8 593 (+34.47%) 266.4 0.23
BS 27.0 / 27.1 555 (+25.85%) 275.6 0.28
XPE 250 g/l 28.7 / 28.7 522 (+18.37%) 306.4 0.22
XPE 500 g/l 28.1 / 28.4 539 (+22.22%) 268.9 0.22
XPE ECO 1x 24.6 / 24.7 576 (+30.61%) 151.1 0.15
XPE ECO 2x 26.5 / 25.8 648 (+46.94%) 72.7 0.10


Fig. 6: Limiting Oxygen Index Values of polyester twill weave

Table 2: Experimental results of 65% polyester / 35% cotton twill weave
Sample
LOI /%/
warp / weft
Square Weight
(g/m
2
)
Air Permeability
(mm/s)
Breathability
(g/m
2
.Pa.h)
Original 18.8 / 18.9 458 273.9 0.23
PE Conc. 29.2 / 27.3 548 (+19.654%) 152.8 0.23
BS 27.0 / 28.7 585 (+27.23%) 192.1 0.21
XPE 250 g/l 26.9 / 26.7 569 (+24.24%) 197.1 0.22
XPE 500 g/l 25.1 / 25.2 620 (+35.37%) 58.5 0.14
XPE ECO 1x 26.5 / 26.8 679 (+48.25%) 22.5 0.09
XPE ECO 2x 26.9 / 27.1 590 (+28.82%) 118.6 0.21

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International Conference - TEXSCI 2010 September 6-8, Liberec, Czech Republic


Fig. 7: Limiting Oxygen Index Values of 65% polyester / 35% cotton twill weave

When samples were tested according to standards, the sample meets the requirements
(smouldering cigarette and match equivalent) pass. All samples, the coated and impregnated
samples did not ignite when subjected to flame and all the untreated samples burned when
exposed to flame.
100% polyester twill weave impregnated with 200g/l Texaflam PE Concentrated had the best
results, it can be seen by looking at limiting oxygen index of 34.0 % warp and 30.8 % weft
followed by same concentration on 65% PES/ 35% cotton twill weave and gave limiting
oxygen index of warp 29.2 % and weft 27.3 % (Fig.6 and 7).
Air permeability was tested according to EN ISO 9237, breathability according to EN ISO
15496. Coating with 250 g/l Texaflam XPE offered high air permeability compared to other
impregnated and coated samples. Coating twice makes the textile to be more fireproof but less
air permeable.
Breathability depends on coating thickness, more coating the more waterproof of material
causing the material to be less breathable.Coating twice with Texaflam XPE ECO on 100%
polyester twill weave gave the higher pick-up than on 65% PES/35% cotton twill weave
which was 28.8 % and that made polyester to have low water vapor permeability and blended
polyester/cotton with higher water vapor permeability. Results are showing that, water
proofness and breathability depended on the concentration of the paste and the structure of the
textile.

4. Conclusion

Demand for functional flameretarded textiles is continuously increasing in many branches
technical, building, automotive and interior textiles, and protective apparel. According to used
textile substrates and end-use applications, suitable flameretarders and application techniques
are to be selected to pass appropriate standards of flammability, incl. relevant stability of FR
effect in use and maintenance cycles. Application of new ecofriendly FR systems (halogen-,
antimony- and VOCs incl. formaldehyde-free) are nowadays more and more frequently
required from end-users and also textile finishers. Comparison of available FR systems with
the aim to find the optimum solution from the point of view of FR efficiency, influence on
other parameters of treated textiles, ecofriendliness and price, incl. possibilities to find new
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International Conference - TEXSCI 2010 September 6-8, Liberec, Czech Republic
solutions is therefore very topical and important from a scientific and mainly practical point of
view.

5. References
1. Schindler,W.D.- Hauser,P.J.: Chemical Finishes of Textiles, Woodhead Publishing
Limited,2004
2. Horrocks, A.R. - Price,D..: Fire retardant materials, Woodhead Publishing Limited,
2001
3. Holme,I. : International Dyer, March 2007
4. Uddin,F. : Industrial Fabrics Bulletin, 3/2003
5. Sidloyi,Y.: Dipolma project, TU Liberec, 2010