Citation

Kaur B, Gur IS, Bhatnagar HL. Fire Safety J. 1989; 14(3): 151-165.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Cellulose phosphate, cellulose ammonium phosphate and transition metal complexes of cellulose phosphate and cellulose ammonium phosphate were prepared and their stability towards laundering was examined by boiling them with soap/soda solutions and washing with solutions having different pH values. Their flame-retardant properties have been studied by oxygen index. An attempt has also been made to study their flame resistance by observing the physical and chemical nature of their chars. Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies gave information about the free radical mechanism operating during their thermal breakdown. An IR spectroscopic technique was employed to study the changes taking place in the condensed phase. An attempt has been made to explain how phosphorus acts in the condensed phase while chlorine acts in the gas phase and their actions are independent of each other. Transition metal ions were seen to be helpful in promoting a condensed phase mechanism. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to view the morphological changes on the surface of fibres on charring. Nodules were seen on the surface of pure cotton fibres. Possible explanation of their formation has been given. No nodules were seen on the surface of charred fibres of treated cellulose, indicating their flame-retardant properties. Transition metals had little effect on the morphological structure of charred phosphorylated cotton fibres.