Polymer Green Flame Retardants
Chapter 23 – Flame Retardancy and Protection against Biodeterioration of Natural Fibers: State-of-Art and Future Prospects
doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53808-6.00023-8
Get rights and content
Chapter 23 – Flame Retardancy and Protection against Biodeterioration of Natural Fibers: State-of-Art and Future Prospects
Get rights and content
2014, Pages 801–836
2014, Pages 801–836
Since
natural fibers have several advantages in comparison with man-made
ones, they are widely used in the apparel sector and in interior
furnishing. Lignocellulosic and protein fibers comprise the two most
important groups of natural fibers. The third group includes mineral and
carbon fibers, which contrary to lignocellulosic and protein fibers,
are more stable in fire conditions. Lignocellulosic natural fibers have
very low fire resistance. The most widely used representatives of this
group are fibers made from cotton, flax, hemp, jute, sisal, ramie,
abaca, and cabuya. On the other hand, protein fibers (wool, alpaca,
silk, and hair), containing nitrogen and sulfur, present better
performance, mainly during the ignition stage. For protecting natural
fibers against fire flame retardants are used, whose role is to delay
ignition time, decrease heat release and surface spread of flame, and
also to reduce mass loss rate and fire propagation. For cellulosic
fibers, nondurable, semidurable and durable finishes are used.
Organophosphorus and trimethylomelamine, and “Zirpro” flame retardant
treatment based on complexes of titanium/zirconium with fluorides
citrates or others is applied for wool and silk. Recently, flexible
intumescent coatings emerged as a promising approach for protecting the
backside of decorative fabrics. Moreover, the development of fire
retardants with reduced leachability, low bioavailability, and generally
with reduced environmental impact has drawn a great deal of interest.
Chemical, biochemical, and genetic modification of natural fibers is
within the scope of research as well.
On the
other hand, natural lignocellulosic and protein fibers are susceptible
to biodeterioration, caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria and
saprophytic fungi (i.e. mildew). This is one of the important limiting
factors of the use of natural fibers. The process of decomposition can
occur in anaerobic and aerobic conditions. For this reason, employing
systems and applying methods (involving physicochemical treatment and
genetic modification) to protect fibers and textiles against
microorganisms is of great importance. Recently, the application of
natural biocides has grown in popularity; this group includes natural
alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, tannins, essential oils, chitosan with
antimicrobial activity, and active peptides such as cytopine,
protegrine, temporine, amiganane, and periganane. However, there are
some concerns regarding the bioavailability of different biocides and
their mutagenic activity.
In this chapter, the
flammability properties of various natural fibers in comparison with
man-made ones are presented. Focus is placed also on the flame
retardancy of leather, because of its wide use especially in interior
upholstery. Furthermore, considering the significance of the
“microbiological decay” effect, methods for developing and incorporating
antimicrobial agents natural fibers, textiles, and leather are
described, providing information on research trends.
Since
natural fibers have several advantages in comparison with man-made
ones, they are widely used in the apparel sector and in interior
furnishing. Lignocellulosic and protein fibers comprise the two most
important groups of natural fibers. The third group includes mineral and
carbon fibers, which contrary to lignocellulosic and protein fibers,
are more stable in fire conditions. Lignocellulosic natural fibers have
very low fire resistance. The most widely used representatives of this
group are fibers made from cotton, flax, hemp, jute, sisal, ramie,
abaca, and cabuya. On the other hand, protein fibers (wool, alpaca,
silk, and hair), containing nitrogen and sulfur, present better
performance, mainly during the ignition stage. For protecting natural
fibers against fire flame retardants are used, whose role is to delay
ignition time, decrease heat release and surface spread of flame, and
also to reduce mass loss rate and fire propagation. For cellulosic
fibers, nondurable, semidurable and durable finishes are used.
Organophosphorus and trimethylomelamine, and “Zirpro” flame retardant
treatment based on complexes of titanium/zirconium with fluorides
citrates or others is applied for wool and silk. Recently, flexible
intumescent coatings emerged as a promising approach for protecting the
backside of decorative fabrics. Moreover, the development of fire
retardants with reduced leachability, low bioavailability, and generally
with reduced environmental impact has drawn a great deal of interest.
Chemical, biochemical, and genetic modification of natural fibers is
within the scope of research as well.
On the
other hand, natural lignocellulosic and protein fibers are susceptible
to biodeterioration, caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria and
saprophytic fungi (i.e. mildew). This is one of the important limiting
factors of the use of natural fibers. The process of decomposition can
occur in anaerobic and aerobic conditions. For this reason, employing
systems and applying methods (involving physicochemical treatment and
genetic modification) to protect fibers and textiles against
microorganisms is of great importance. Recently, the application of
natural biocides has grown in popularity; this group includes natural
alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, tannins, essential oils, chitosan with
antimicrobial activity, and active peptides such as cytopine,
protegrine, temporine, amiganane, and periganane. However, there are
some concerns regarding the bioavailability of different biocides and
their mutagenic activity.
In this chapter, the
flammability properties of various natural fibers in comparison with
man-made ones are presented. Focus is placed also on the flame
retardancy of leather, because of its wide use especially in interior
upholstery. Furthermore, considering the significance of the
“microbiological decay” effect, methods for developing and incorporating
antimicrobial agents natural fibers, textiles, and leather are
described, providing information on research trends.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
