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PUBLICATIONS

Aqueous-based Amphiphile Solutions Used as Gel Coatings to Reduce Flammability of Cotton Fabrics

Published

Author(s)

Andre L. Thompson, Brian Love, Rick D. Davis

Abstract

This study reports on the change in flammability of cotton fabrics caused by water-insoluble gel coatings applied from a single bath solution formulated with polymeric micelles and flame retardant amphiphiles. The flame resistant coatings are made from low concentration aqueous formulations of polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide, and 5%-15% w/w melamine and sodium hexametaphosphate. The coated cotton fabrics were tested and characterized by a variety of bench-scale tools, such as vertical flame testing, micro-scale combustion calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Properties such as increased ignition resistance, self-extinguishment, and higher decomposition temperatures were measured, relative to the uncoated cotton.
Citation
Technical Note (NIST TN) - 2047
Report Number
2047
NIST Pub Series
Technical Note (NIST TN)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2047

Keywords

amphiphilic solutions, flame retardant gel coating, melamine, sodium hexametaphosphate, cotton fabric
Fire, Materials flammability and Polymers

Citation

Thompson, A. , Love, B. and Davis, R. (2019), Aqueous-based Amphiphile Solutions Used as Gel Coatings to Reduce Flammability of Cotton Fabrics, Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2047 (Accessed October 9, 2025)

Issues

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Created July 3, 2019
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