Boron Polymer Flame Retardants for Cellulose Textiles

Safer flame retardants that reduces smoke release from in-room textiles

Flammable textiles pose a significant threat to human lives during a fire. Existing phosphorus flame retardants (FR) for textiles generally release large amounts of deadly smoke in fire. Such smoke and phosphorus FRs may accumulate in the environment and disrupt the balance of aquatic ecosystem, resulting in algae blooms and fish kills. Consequently, we developed boron polymers flame retardants. It is applied on cellulose fabrics by padding and low temperature curing. Compared with conventional FRs, it is more washable, durable and efficient in flame and smoke inhibition, greatly reducing smoke release in fire by 80%.

Cellulose fabrics with boron polymer flame retardants

Compared with commercial flame retarder, PolyU’s boron polymer flame retardant reduces 80% smoke and 31% carbon monoxide release in fire

Special Features and Advantages

Uses boron and nitrogen organic compounds as FRs
Demonstrates durable effects in retarding flame and inhibiting smoke on cellulose fabrics

Applications

Applicable to textiles made of different fibres, such as PET and cellulosic fibres
Treated textiles are suitable for making products like home textiles (e.g. curtains, bedding), decorative textiles and uniforms

Patent

Patent Application No.:

CN201710063336.6(China)

Principal Investigator

Dr Bin FEI

Institute of Textiles and Clothing

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