Polypropylene textiles can take the heat
Textile scientists from the Nerefite project developed new fire retardant (FR) treatments for polypropylene. The consortium was part of an EU-funded safety initiative to develop FR treatments that enable fabrics to withstand conditions of extreme heat without causing a fire. Researchers investigated new types of FR additives for the binder resin of the padding of non-woven polypropylene. The new compounds were developed on the basis that they would cause the surface of the textile to swell to several times its thickness when exposed to fire, the so-called intumescence process. Once the charred surface of the material has expanded, the underlying fibres, the fuel, remain protected from the surrounding fire. The material underneath is deprived of the other two essential requirements for the combustion process – heat and oxygen. The now charred exterior acts as a thermal insulator and also blocks the diffusion of oxygen. The FR halogen-free compounds developed by the Nerefite project represent a significant step forward for the European textile industry. The new polymer materials can be used in the production of lightweight and hardwearing safety clothing for firefighters and other hazardous occupations. Fire-retardant textiles for interiors of cars, trains and private homes also stand to improve safety overall for the EU citizen.
