Functional Finishing of Cotton Textiles Using Nanomaterials
51
5 Flame Retardant Finish
Natural cellulosic textile substrates like cotton, linen are made-up of the natural
polymer i.e. cellulose. These materials are being used in the production of valueadded home textiles and other upholstery fabrics. All these products exhibit high
flammability and combustibility. Due to its chemical composition, cotton is highly
prone to flammability that can cause immediate combustion leading to the flames
and fire. To prevent fire accidents and loss of human life, quality and safety of
textile materials is to be assured. Due to the upcoming government regulations,
flame retardant property of textiles become very important attribute for the materials
that are used as fabrics in airplanes, trains, buses, hotels, restaurants, and other public
places. Flame retardant finish describes a finish that imparts slow burning capacity
of self-extinguishing property to the fabrics. The flame retardant chemicals that are
used in textile finishing are classified as given in Fig. 6.
The health issues associated with the halogenated flame retardant chemicals are
discussed in detail by Shaw in 2011 [35]. It was suggested for a more systematic
study to understand the actual impact of such chemicals during human exposure.
Though the degradation of brominated polymeric flame retardants cause no acute
toxicity, chronic toxicity might relevant [36]. To overcome the various problems
associated with the flame retardant toxicity, nanomaterials might be an alternative for
finishing of cotton textiles. Arputharaj et al. [20] reported that the presence of nanoZnO which was synthesized in situ in cotton fabric improved the thermal stability
of cotton fabric. Similar results were reported by Samanta et al. [37] for the flame
retardant property of nano-ZnO treated jute fabric. Sheshama et al. [38] reported that
1% nano ZnO treated sisal yarn showed more LOI (Limiting Oxygen Index) and less
burning rate compared to the 12% bulk ZnO treated yarn. These results indicate that
Fig. 6 Classification of flame retardants
51
5 Flame Retardant Finish
Natural cellulosic textile substrates like cotton, linen are made-up of the natural
polymer i.e. cellulose. These materials are being used in the production of valueadded home textiles and other upholstery fabrics. All these products exhibit high
flammability and combustibility. Due to its chemical composition, cotton is highly
prone to flammability that can cause immediate combustion leading to the flames
and fire. To prevent fire accidents and loss of human life, quality and safety of
textile materials is to be assured. Due to the upcoming government regulations,
flame retardant property of textiles become very important attribute for the materials
that are used as fabrics in airplanes, trains, buses, hotels, restaurants, and other public
places. Flame retardant finish describes a finish that imparts slow burning capacity
of self-extinguishing property to the fabrics. The flame retardant chemicals that are
used in textile finishing are classified as given in Fig. 6.
The health issues associated with the halogenated flame retardant chemicals are
discussed in detail by Shaw in 2011 [35]. It was suggested for a more systematic
study to understand the actual impact of such chemicals during human exposure.
Though the degradation of brominated polymeric flame retardants cause no acute
toxicity, chronic toxicity might relevant [36]. To overcome the various problems
associated with the flame retardant toxicity, nanomaterials might be an alternative for
finishing of cotton textiles. Arputharaj et al. [20] reported that the presence of nanoZnO which was synthesized in situ in cotton fabric improved the thermal stability
of cotton fabric. Similar results were reported by Samanta et al. [37] for the flame
retardant property of nano-ZnO treated jute fabric. Sheshama et al. [38] reported that
1% nano ZnO treated sisal yarn showed more LOI (Limiting Oxygen Index) and less
burning rate compared to the 12% bulk ZnO treated yarn. These results indicate that
Fig. 6 Classification of flame retardants