Textile Smoldering-Suppressing Composition With 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, providing high phosphate content and stability, which can be formulated into gels or powders for application on textiles, maintaining flame retardancy and aesthetic properties even after extensive washing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flame retardants are applied topically in large amounts to minimize textile flammability, then flame resistance is improved, but fabric aesthetic and textural properties deteriorate (stiffness, harshness, duller shades, poor tear strength and abrasion properties)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame resistanceVSAvoidfabric textural properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the flame retardant composition by using phosphoric acid and its derivatives at controlled concentrations, along with specific binding agents and optional additives, to achieve flame resistance without the excessive stiffness and harshness associated with conventional high-add-on applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite treatment system combining phosphoric acid (or derivatives), binding agents, and optional additives in specific ratios to form a composition that provides flame resistance while maintaining fabric aesthetic and textural properties, avoiding the need for single-component high-concentration applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If flame retardants are incorporated into the fabric matrix during manufacturing, then flame resistance is improved, but fiber properties deteriorate due to degradation of FR agent at high extrusion temperatures and reactions with fiber or additives

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame resistanceVSAvoidfiber properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies the flame retardant composition to the fabric after manufacturing (post-treatment approach), rather than incorporating it during high-temperature extrusion processes. This preliminary action avoids exposure to degrading conditions while still achieving effective flame resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses binding agents as intermediaries to attach phosphoric acid or its derivatives to the fabric, preventing direct reactions between the flame retardant components and fiber or additives that would occur during high-temperature processing, thereby preserving fiber properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional smoldering suppressants are used in textiles, then smoldering resistance is improved, but washing fastness deteriorates due to low stability under washing conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoldering resistanceVSAvoidwashing fastness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses phosphoric acid and its derivatives which inherently possess both smoldering suppression capability and washing fastness, eliminating the need for separate stabilizing agents or complex anchoring mechanisms to maintain durability through washing cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 and textural properties throughout multiple washing cycles, passing stringent flammability tests while being cost-effective and environmentally safe.

Implementation Method 1

multivalent metal complexes with ammonium superphosphoric acid, providing high phosphate content and stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical stability:

Implementation Method 2

maintain flame retardancy and aesthetic properties even after extensive washing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlame retardancy:

Implementation Method 3

passing stringent flammability tests while being cost-effective and environmentally safe... throughout multiple washing cycles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWashing fastness:

Data Source

PatentUS8524125B2Washing-fast smoldering-suppressing compositions

Publication Date: 2013.09.03 BROMINE COMPOUNDS

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.