Studies on combined flame-retardant and water-repellent treatments on cotton drill fabric

Abstract

197-207Bleached cotton drill fabric was treated with phosphorus-based flame retardant followed by water and oil repellents to achieve flame-retardant, water-repellent and oil-repellent properties for critical applications such as nuclear biological chemical protective suits. The results indicate that by an effective combination of above finishing agents, satisfactory performance could be achieved, although it is very difficult to understand the nature of reaction that takes place between a phosphorus-based flame retardant and the fluorocarbon-based water repellant. The treated fabrics were evaluated for flammability, water repellency and oil repellency. The effect of different add-on levels on important physical propert ies was also studied. The flame-retardant behaviour was persued through thermal studies. The flame- retardant and water-repellent treated fabric with a total add-on level of 17.7% gave satisfactory results in terms of functional and physical properties.</span