Studies on Effect of Water Repellent Treatment on Flame Retardant Properties of Fabric

Abstract

Inherently flame retardant fibre blended with dope treated flame retardant fibre (KR/VR), fabric and dope treated flame retardant fibre (TR) were treated with fluorocarbon emulsion at different concentrations, curing temperature so as to investigate the effect of above parameters on repellency properties and their implication on flame retardant properties. The repellency properties were evaluated by contact angle, spray rating and oil repellency, whereas, flame retardant properties were evaluated by limiting oxygen index and char length. Thermal studies (TGA) were also carried out so as to study the possible changes in thermal chemistry of the fabrics. The fabrics were finally evaluated on Kawabata system for the objective evaluation of hand properties in terms of low stress mechanical properties and thermal insulation. The thermogravimetric studies elucidate that there is no change in the thermal chemistry of the fabric treated with fluorocarbon emulsions. The blended fabric (KR/VR) exhibited overall satisfactory performance (both functional and hand properties) compared to TR fabric.