XRD characterization of the ashes from a burned cellulosic fabric impregnated with magnesium bromide hexahydrate as flame-retardant

The effect of magnesium bromide hexahydrate [MgBr2 center dot 6H(2)O] as a nondurable finish on the flammability of 100% cotton fabric, (woven construction, massing 150 g m(-2)) has been investigated. The laundered bone-dried, massed fabrics were impregnated with various concentrations of the aqueous above-mentioned salt solutions by means of squeeze rolls and drying in an oven at 110 degrees C for 30 min. The specimens were then cooled in a desiccator, re-massed with an analytical balance and kept under standard conditions before the fulfillment of the vertical flame spread test. After several experiments the optimum add-on values to impart flame-retardancy expressed in g anhydrous magnesium bromide hexahydrate per 100 g fabric were determined to be about 5.6%. The ashes of the treated specimens were subjected to X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and the result was compared with data for pure MgO powder and/or MgBr2 specimens. Consequently the existence of MgO was detected in the ashes.