Phosphonate Finishes for Fire-Retardant,Durable-Press Cotton

Abstract

Continuing efforts to develop an economical flame-retardant, durable-press finish for 100% cotton fabric are described. A system based on the reaction product of guanidines, dimethyl phosphite, and formaldehyde (GDMPF), applied by a conventional pad-dry-curve process, gives fabrics with excellent flame retardance durable for over 50 home launderings. Dry crease recovery is in the range 220°-270°, depending on fabric construction and weight. A second system based on the in situ reaction of methyl phosphonic acid (MPA) and cyanamide, applied by a pad-dry-cure process at low pH, gives flame retardance durable for over 50 home launderings at add-ons of less than 10%. Fabrics have moderate crease recovery with excellent hand and strength retention. Phosphorus-nitrogen synergism and the role played by calcium in the deactivation of phosphonate finishes are also discussed.

Keywords

Cotton fabrics guanidine derivatives dimethylphosphite formaldehyde methylphosphonic acid cyanamide fire retardancy agents reactants. Chemically modified cotton fabrics phosphonomethylated amines. P loss N loss. Textile materials. Mykon SF (TN)Resloom HP (TN)trimethylolmelamines Velvamine (TN)Triton X-100 (TN)wetting agents (nonionic)softeners acid catalyst. Concentration time temperature pad-dry-cure home laundering Launder ability flame retardancy wrinkle-recovery angles tensile strength tear strength add-ons moisture regain chemical composition N: P atom ratios calcium pickup Ca: P atom ratio: N-P synergism. Fire retardancy durable press phosphonate finishes. Strength testing wrinkle recovery testing. Reactions (chemical)vertical-flame test match test chemical analysis.

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References

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