Flame Retardancy and Free Formaldehyde Content of Fabrics Finished with Pyrovatex CP

Abstract

Viscose rayon fabrics were finished with various concentrations of phosphorus-containing flame retarder (Pyrovatex CP) having methylol groups. In some experiments, melamine formaldehyde resin was used as co-agent. Content of finishing agents, phosphorus content, oxygen index, and free formaldehyde content (Acetyle Aceton Method and Phloroglucine Method) were measured.
Free formaldehyde were remarkably detected in finished fabrics without soaping. The fabrics which emit no free formaldehyde and possess sufficient flame retardancy have been obtained only by finishing fabrics with highly concentrated solution of pure flame retarder followed by sufficient soaping.