LAUSR

Abstract Flame retardancy was imparted to jute fabric through application of organophosphorus flame retardants (OFR) and tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC). The OFR agent was used in conjunction with melamine formaldehyde as binder and phosphoric acid as a catalyst. THPC was applied in the form of a THPC-urea complex. Both the flame retardants were applied to scoured and bleached jute hessian fabrics by conventional pad-dry-cure method. The treated fabric samples were tested for flame retardancy in terms of limiting oxygen index (LOI) as well as vertical flammability and for durability of the finish. There was an increase of up to 116% and 46% in the LOI value of OFR and THPC-treated fabrics respectively as compared to untreated fabric. However improvement in thermal behavior was accompanied by a loss in tenacity of treated fabric. THPC-treated fabrics showed better durability as compared to OFR-treated samples. The TGA and DSC of treated samples showed that at a temperature of 600°C, a large amount (42%) of residue is left and char formation takes place. The process facilitated formation of lower volatiles in treated samples as compared to untreated samples.