Some Effects of Chemical Composition on the Flammability Behavior of Textiles

Abstract

The oxygen index method is shown to be a valuable tool for the investigation of the flammability of textile samples as a function of their chemical composition. Measurements of limiting oxygen index (LOI) are reported for polyester/cotton blends of varying composition, and for 50/50 polyester/cotton blends in which one component fiber has been selectively treated with flame-retardant additives. LOI values are also reported for cotton fabric treated with nitrogen-containing resins at various levels of nitrogen content, in conjunction with a flame-retardant additive.