Non-halogen FR treatment of cellulosic textiles

Abstract

The paper gives a historical overview of the most commonly used textile flame retardants, with emphasis on halogen-free FRs with the mechanism of their action to slow down or prevent burning. Since a large number of halogen FRs are toxic or potentially toxic to organisms and environment, there is a need for their replacement by eco-friendly agents. The paper presents new alternative FRs that should be put into practice, as well as different methods of their application onto the textile in comparison to one another. One of the possible ways of development of alternative FRs could be the application of bio-macromolecules such as chitosan, phytic acid, casein, whey, hydrophobins or DNA.