Thermogravimetric analysis of a cellulosic fabric incorporated by lithium hydroxide as a flame retardant

The effect of lithium hydroxide on the flammability of cotton fabric (Woven, 180g/m(2)) is studied in this investigation. The aforementioned hydroxide was applied using the suitable concentrations of its individual solutions onto bone dried and weighed cotton fabrics. They were impregnated by means of squeeze rolls. They were then dried in an oven at 110 degrees C for 30 min, cooled in a desiccator, weighed with analytical precision and kept under ordinary conditions before the fulfillment of the flame test. The optimum add-on values to impart flame retardancy were about 2.38-2.76 g anhydrous lithium hydroxide per 100 g cotton fabric. The results obtained agree with thermal theory. However, after the ignited specimens ceased to flame, the presence of glow was not observed. Hence the condensed phase retardation can be justified.