Flame Retardant, Durable Press Finishes for Cotton and Polyester/Cellulosic Blends

Abstract

Diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) and N-methylol resins were applied to cotton and polyester/cellulosic blends using one step and two step sequential pad- dry-cure processes. Among the N-methylol resins studied, only urea formaldehyde treatment on phosphorylated cotton demonstrated the phenomenon of N-P synergism in terms of oxygen index, while no clear trend could be established in blends. The 45° angle burning rate at atmospheric oxygen concentration was accelerated by a trimethylol melamine treatment on phosphorylated cotton, while post-treatment with the same resin produced a slight retardation in the burning rate in 48/52 polyester/ viscose with respect to DAP treatment alone.