Smoldering-Suppressing Textile Composition With High Washing Fastness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for minimizing textile flammability, particularly in cellulose-based fabrics, fail to effectively address smoldering issues and often compromise aesthetic and textural properties, with existing flame retardants being costly, unstable under washing, and lacking durability.

Innovation Solution

Development of smoldering suppressing compositions comprising multivalent metal complexes with ammonium superphosphoric acid, characterized by high phosphate content, which are stable, resistant to ion exchange, and maintain effectiveness after multiple washing cycles when applied to textiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flame retardants are applied topically in large amounts to achieve required fabric characteristics, then flammability resistance is improved, but aesthetic and textural properties deteriorate (fabric becomes stiff, harsh, and has duller shades)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflammability resistanceVSAvoidaesthetic and textural properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the flame retardant composition by using a specific ratio of ammonium polyphosphate (40-70 wt%) combined with borax (10-30 wt%) and boric acid (10-30 wt%), creating a synergistic formulation that achieves effective flame retardancy at lower application levels, thereby preserving fabric aesthetics and texture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite flame retardant system by combining multiple chemical agents (ammonium polyphosphate, borax, boric acid) that work synergistically together, where the combination provides superior flame retardancy at lower concentrations than individual components, thus maintaining fabric quality while achieving safety requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If flame retardants are incorporated into the fabric matrix during manufacture, then durability is improved, but the flame retardant degrades at high extrusion temperatures and reacts with fiber and additives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of flame retardancyVSAvoidstability of flame retardant
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention selects flame retardant components with appropriate thermal stability parameters that can withstand extrusion temperatures without degradation. The specific combination of ammonium polyphosphate, borax, and boric acid maintains chemical stability at high temperatures, preventing decomposition and unwanted reactions with fiber or additives during fabric manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If high phosphate content compositions are used to improve smoldering suppression, then washing stability deteriorates due to ion exchange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoldering suppressionVSAvoidwashing stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite system where ammonium polyphosphate (providing smoldering suppression through phosphate release) is combined with borax and boric acid (providing washing stability through their low solubility and resistance to ion exchange). The borax and boric acid components anchor the formulation to the fabric, preventing wash-off while allowing the phosphate component to function for smoldering suppression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The compositions effectively suppress smoldering and maintain flame retardancy while preserving the aesthetic and textural properties of textiles, passing stringent flammability tests even after extensive washing, thus providing a durable and cost-effective solution.

Implementation Method 1

smoldering suppressing compositions comprising multivalent metal complexes with ammonium superphosphoric acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComplex formation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The compositions effectively suppress smoldering and maintain flame retardancy while preserving the aesthetic and textural properties of textiles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSmoldering suppression: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

characterized by high phosphate content, which are stable, resistant to ion exchange, and maintain effectiveness after multiple washing cycles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange resistance: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentEP1986849B1Washing-fast smoldering-suppressing compositions
Publication Date: 2015.08.12 BROMINE COMPOUNDS
  • EP1986849B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2B
  • EP1986849B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP1986849B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Novel smoldering suppressing compositions containing a metal complex of ammonium superphosphoric acid and having a high phosphate content, and processes for their preparation, are disclosed. Further disclosed are formulations containing these compositions and articles-of-manufacture having these formulations applied thereon. These novel formulations are particularly effective as smoldering suppressants for textiles, and are characterized by a high washing fastness.