Flame-retardant and anti-dripping effects of a novel char-forming flame retardant for the treatment of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics

A novel anti-dripping flame retardant, poly(2-hydroxy propylene spirocyclic pentaerythritol bisphosphonate) (PPPBP) was used to impart flame retardance and dripping resistance to poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabrics. Flammability and thermal behaviour of PET fabrics treated with PPPBP were investigated by vertical burning test and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicate that besides the enhancement in flame retardance, dripping resistance of the treated PET fabrics is imparted. FTIR spectra and SEM graphs of the residue of treated PET fabrics show that the structure and composition of the chars yielded during the decomposition of PPPBP have direct relationship with the enhancement in flame retardance and dripping resistance of the treated PET fabrics. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.