Organic fabric is reacted first with vapors of a phosphorus oxychloride, phosphorus oxybromide solution and then with bromine vapor, after neutralization it is flameproof in pure oxygen atmosphere. Soaking the fabric with mixture of ammonium polyphosphates increases flame resistance, but the polyphosphates are leached out during laundering

Cardwell, R. O.

Holsten, J. R.

Rives, J. W.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

November 1970	 Brief 70-10540 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
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NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech-Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical 
Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Division, NASA, Code UT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
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Chemical Treatment Makes Aromatic Polyamide Fabric Fireproof 
in Oxygen Atmosphere 
A chemical process has been developed to make a 
textile-quality organic fabric nonflammable in an 
oxygen-rich atmosphere. The process is applied to 
a proprietary, strong, flexible aromatic polyamide 
fabric that is flameproof in air, but not in a pure oxygen 
(6.2 psia) atmosphere. 
The process consists of a two-step treatment in 
which the fabric is reacted under controlled conditions 
first with the vapors from a solution consisting of 
equal parts by weight of phosphorus oxychloride and 
phosphorus oxybromide and then with bromine vapor. 
After neutralization of the treated fabric surface, 
the resultant strong, flexible material passed the 
standard tissue paper ignition test on a folded edge 
in pure oxygen at a pressure of 6.2 psia. 
A higher degree of flame resistance in oxygen can be 
imparted to the fireproof fabric produced in the two-
step oxyhalide-bromine process by subsequent soak-
ing of the fabric with a proprietary mixture (aqueous 
solution /suspension) of ammonium polyphosphates. 
The dried fabric will not be ignited on an exposed
bottom cut edge by a burning tissue in pure oxygen at 
6.2 psia. However, the polyphosphates are leached 
out and their beneficial effects lost by washing the 
fabric in water-detergent solutions. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Manned Spacecraft Center, Code BM7 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Reference: B70-10540 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Roland 0. Cardwell, John R. Holsten, 
and James W. Rives of 
Monsanto Research Corp. 
under contract to 
Manned Spacecraft Center 
(MSC-1357l, -13572) 
Category 04 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned-rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700000522 2020-03-17T00:36:50+00:00Z


Chemical treatment makes aromatic polyamide fabric fireproof in oxygen atmosphere

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