A Comparison of Some Phosphorus Amides as Flame Retardants for Cotton1

Abstract

Phosphoric triamide, N,N-dimethylphosphoric triamide, N,N,N',N'-tetramethylphosphoric triamlde and chloromethyl phosphonic diamide (CMPD) were prepared and applied to cotton fabrics. The less highly suhstituted amides were bound to the cellulose more readily, but fabrics treated with them lost nitrogen and flame resistance more rapidly on laund ering. At add-on levels of 16-20%, the durability to laundering of all of these flame retardants was relatively low, but souring with 1% acetic acid after laundering restored much of the lost flame retardancy. There was no adverse effect on fabric hand at these add-on levels. Use of hypochlorite bleach during laundering tended to accelerate loss of flame retardancy, but did not yellow the fabrics. All of the phosphoramides imparted excellent wrinkle resistance, and CMPD ,treated fabric had moderate wrinkle resistance. Effects of these finishes on fabric strength and abrasion resistance were studied.