Infrared Analysis of Vapor-Phase Pyrolysis Products of Flame-Retardant Fabrics

Abstract

A number of commercially available flame-retardant fabrics were pyrolyzed under controlled co ditions and the yapor phase products identified by infrared spectroscopy. The vapor-phase products obtained by sequential pyrolysis in increments of 200° from 200° to 1200°C in a variety of atmospheres (air, vacuum, nitrogen) were c pared with those from a single 1000°C pyrolysis under the same atmospheric conditions. The fabrics studied were cotton, cotton-polyester, polyester, nylon, and rayon treated with a variety of flame retardants. Untreated polyester and cot n fabrics were pyrolyzed under the same conditions. Atmosphere and heating conditions (sequential or single-burn) substantially affect the vapor-phase pyrolytic products. Relatively large quantities of hydrocarbons were consigtently present in the infrared spectra of fabrics burned at a single high temperature. These hydrocarbons are not usually apparent in sequentially-burned samples. The difference between a single high-temperature burn and a sequential burn is less pronounced in an atmosphere of nitrogen.

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