|
Title
Superiority of lithium bromide over lithium chloride used as flame retardants on cotton substrates
Authors
S. M. Mostashari and S. Baie
Received
September 10, 2009
Published
Volume 44 Issue 7-8 July-August
Keywords
flammability, lithium bromide, lithium chloride, flame-retardancy, Free radical theory
Abstract
The effect of lithium bromide as compared to lithium chloride, as non-durable finishes, on the flammability of 100% cotton fabric (woven construction, weighing 151 g/m2) has been investigated in the present article. The laundered, bone-dried, weighed specimens were impregnated with suitable concentrations of aqueous lithium bromide and/or lithium chloride solutions by means of squeeze rolls and then dried at 110 °C for 30 min. Afterwards they were cooled in a desiccator, re-weighed with an analytical balance and kept under ordinary conditions before carrying out the vertical flame test. The optimum add-on values conferring flame retardancy, expressed in g anhydrous lithium bromide and lithium chloride per 100 g fabrics, were found to be about 3.85% and 7.5%, respectively. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of pure cotton and of the fabrics supported by salts at optimum additions was performed and the thermograms were then compared and commented. The results obtained proved the superiority of lithium bromide in imparting flame retardancy as compared to lithium chloride. Overall, the additions comply with Free radical theory in explaining flame-retardancy. The results may provide some beneficial data and assessments to be put into practice for commercial purposes, such as in the dope of insulators, plastics and polymers.
Link
|
