Textile Performance Properties of Cotton Fabric Treated with Selected Flame-Retarding Finishes

Abstract
Seven different types of flame-retarding finishes were applied to light-to-medium weight cotton fabric at add-ons appropriate to pass the DOC FF 3–71 test. The finishes studied were based on tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride (THPC), neutralized THPC (THPOH), Fyrol 76, and Pyrovatex CP. The specific finishes were: THPOH-NH3, THPOH-urea-trimethylolmelamine, Proban (THPC-urea precondensate)-NH3, THPC-urea-disodium hydrogen phosphate, Fyrol 76, Fyrol 76-N-methylolacrylamide, and Pyrovatex CP-methylolmelamine. Textile performance properties are reported as a function of add-on of each type of finish; strengths and abrasion resistance of the finished fabrics are considered and discussed as a function of resilience. General trends of decreasing strength and abrasion resistance with increasing resilience were observed for these flame-retardant fabrics. Within this trend there is latitude for selection of finishes that will provide superior performance in the individual textile property such as abrasion resistance, breaking strength, and tearing strength.