Fabrication and characterization of flame-retardant polyester fabric with a Polyurethane coating and Ammonium poly Phosphate and investigation of its mechanical and flame retardancy properties

Abstract

The advancement of fireproof fibers into diverse applications highlights the importance of developing effective flame-retardant textiles. These materials not only enhance safety by reducing flammability but also meet specific needs in challenging environments, such as High-performance operations. Understanding the mechanisms of fire retardancy and the methods of textile fabrication is essential for improving safety standards across various industries. This study is focused on fabrication and characterizations of a flame-retardant fabric based on Polyester and Polyurethane coating. Additionally, Ammonium Poly Phosphate (APP) was added to the Polyurethane coating as the flame-retardant component. The results showed that the introduction of Ammonium Poly Phosphate in the coating layer not only enhances the mechanical strength of final fabric but also has a significant influence on surface morphology which further affected the hydrophobicity and oil repellency of the final sample. Moreover, after inclusion of APP, the Limiting Oxygen Index reached 35%, char length was calculated around 16 cm and self-extinguish time was decreased to almost 0s, representing an enhancement in flame-retardancy properties. Our findings in this research prove that our final flame-retardant sample can be an ideal candidate for high-performance flame-retardant applications.