TG studies of synergism between red phosphorus (RP)–calcium chloride used in flame-retardancy for a cotton fabric favorable to green chemistry

The combined effect between calcium chloride and red phosphorus (RP) on the flame-retardancy of a cotton fabric (woven construction massing 152 g/m²) has been studied in this work. The laundered bone-dried massed samples were impregnated with suitable concentrations of individual aqueous red phosphorus suspensions and/or calcium chloride solutions and some bunches were impregnated with appropriate admixed solutions of the both chemicals. An acceptable synergistic effect was then experienced by using an admixed bath containing 0.20 F red phosphorus and 0.20 M calcium chloride for impartation of flame-retardancy to a cotton fabric. By using a vertical flame spread test the optimum mass of the mixture needed to donate flame-retardancy was obtained to be about 5.88 g anhydrous additives per 100 g dry fabric. Thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) results concerning untreated and treated cotton fabrics at the optimum addition were obtained and their curves were compared and commented, fortifying the flame spread tests outcomes. It can be deduced that the applied treatment functioned as a catalyst at the combustion’s temperature of the polymeric substrate and, thermosensibilized the combustion process. This synergism is in favor of green chemistry as well as the economical and industrial view points.