Optimizing content of Pyrovatex CP New and Knittex FFRC in flame retardant treatment for cotton fabric

In this study, the flame-retardant treatment for cotton fabric has been done by using the commercial organophosphorus compounds labelled Pyrovatex CP New (PR). Knittex FFRC (K), a formaldehyde-free crosslinking agent, has been used to enhance the link between Pyrovatex CP New and Cellulose molecules. The flame-retardant treatment process for cotton fabric has been done by the pad-dry-cure technique. The purpose of the study is to predict the optimal Pyrovatex CP New and Knittex FFRC concentrations with the highest fire resistance efficiency, minimum loss for mechanical properties and minimum formaldehyde release for the treated fabric. To achieve this goal, the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to find the relationship between the controlled experimental factors and the observed results. The central composite design type face centred (CCF) was applied as experimental design. According to this experimental design, 10 experiments were carried out. The chemical uptake rate, vertical flammability characteristics, LOI value, tensile strength and formaldehyde-free content of the untreated and treated samples were determined. Four response models between the reagent concentrations and the add-on amount, LOI value, warp and weft tensile strength of the treated fabric were obtained by the assistance of software Design-Expert V 10.0.8. The R-squared values of these models were above 80% confirming their significances. The optimal conditions when combining three parameters (LOI, warp tensile strength and weft tensile strength) were selected as 450 g/l Pyrovatex CP New and 107,575 g/l Knittex FFRC with the assistance of Design-Expert software.

Automated summary

In this study, flame-retardant treatment for cotton fabric was performed using commercial organophosphorus compounds and a formaldehyde-free crosslinking agent. The optimal chemical concentrations were predicted to achieve the highest fire resistance efficiency, minimal mechanical properties loss, and formaldehyde release reduction. The response surface methodology was utilized to find the relationship between experimental factors and results, with central composite design applied for experimental design and software assistance for optimization.