Development of fire resistant PET fibrous structures based on phosphinate-POSS blends

In this study, PET multifilaments containing blends of aluminium phosphinate and different polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) were developed via melt spinning process. Textiles made by the filled fibres were then produced and their fire behaviours were investigated. Improved performances of the fibrous materials have been noticed such as a decrease in the dripping effect, in the peak of heat release rate and in the total heat evolved while combustion. Differences on the textiles fire properties were also observed depending on the used POSS nanoparticles with distinct ignition times and char protective properties. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.