Intumescent Biobased-Polylactide Films to Flame Retard Nonwovens

Abstract

The work focuses on the development of a new process to flame retard nonwovens, using films based on renewable resources. Films consist in intumescent formulations of polylactic acid (PLA), ammonium polyphosphate (APP) blended with lignin or starch and are coated on hemp or wool nonwovens. The objective of this study was to investigate the fire retardant and mechanical properties of textiles protected by FR PLA films for potential use in building applications. Horizontal and vertical flame spread tests as well as cone calorimetry tests show that flammability properties of nonwovens are significantly improved. Better mechanical properties are also obtained with coated nonwovens.