Fires caused by textiles cannot be ignored, and the research and development of flame-retardant textiles urgently needs to be increased
In recent years, my country has made rapid progress in fire retardant agents and fabric fire retardant technologies. A large number of new fire retardant fibers and multi-functional fire retardant fabrics have been released. However, the gap with foreign countries is still large. In particular, the high-end market is basically dominated by foreign companies. However, there are still many difficulties to be overcome in the technology developed by our country. According to relevant information, at present, the proportion of fire-proof products used in public places in my country is very small, the proportion of fire-proof plastics has not reached 1%, and the proportion of fire-proof fabrics is even smaller.
Fires caused by fabrics cannot be ignored
Most natural fibers, man-made fibers and synthetic fibers used in daily life are flammable or combustible, and fabrics finished with these fibers are also highly flammable. In recent years, due to the intensification of various fire-fighting measures, the number of fires has declined, but the total number is still around 150,000 to 200,000 (excluding fires in forests, grasslands, armies, and underground mines). The number of fire deaths every year is about There were about 1,500 people, and the direct property loss was about 1 billion yuan. According to foreign data, half of the causes of fires are related to fabrics. Fires caused by fabrics in my country are also very serious. For example, on December 8, 1994, a fire broke out at the Friendship Hotel in Karamay City, Xinjiang, killing 323 teachers and students and injuring 130 people. The cause of the fire was that sparks from falling stage lights ignited the gauze curtain, which then ignited the curtain made of chemical fiber fabrics. A large amount of toxic flammable gas spread rapidly, causing heavy casualties. A large number of statistics at home and abroad show that interior decoration fabrics, bedding, sofas, electric blankets, etc. have all been the source of fires. Therefore, developed countries attach great importance to the development of fire-resistant fabrics and have formulated strict regulations.
Current status of fire protection technology for fabrics
The flammability of fabrics can be characterized by the limiting oxygen index (LOI), which is the percentage of low-oxygen volume required to maintain the continued combustion of burned materials. Fabric raw materials are divided into 4 categories according to the limiting oxygen index (LOI): non-combustible (LOI ≥ 35%) fabrics, such as most metal fibers, carbon fibers, asbestos, boron fibers, glass fibers, PBO fibers, PBI (polybenzimidazole) fiber, polyimide fiber, etc.; flame-retardant (LOI=26~34%) fabrics, such as Nomex, fluoron, chlorine, modified polyacrylonitrile fiber, modified polyester, modified polypropylene, modified vinylon, Modified viscose, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), seaweed fiber, etc.; flammable (LOI≥26%≤34%) fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, vinylon, wool, silk, acetate fiber, etc.; flammable (LOI ≤20) Fabric products, such as polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile fiber, cotton, linen, viscose fiber, bamboo pulp fiber, soy protein fiber, milk protein fiber, etc. Although non-combustible fibers have good fire protection effects, most of them are not suitable for wearing or household use. Most of the natural or chemical fibers commonly used by people are flammable or flammable. Only by modifying or finishing such fabrics can their fire resistance be improved. Performance, that is, adding fire retardant agents with fire retardant functions to fabrics through various channels can achieve fire retardant effects.
The way to prevent fiber fire is to block or reduce the thermal decomposition of fiber, isolate or dilute oxygen, and quickly cool down to use it to terminate combustion. In order to achieve the above purpose, fire retardant agents with fire retardant functions are generally added to chemical fibers through polymer polymerization, blending, copolymerization, lamination spinning, joint modification, etc. or the fire retardant agent PU is added by post-finishing methods. The coating is on the fiber surface or penetrates into the fiber. In practical applications, a variety of fire retardants are often used to achieve fire protection effects in two or more ways.
Increase the research and development of fire-resistant fabrics
Fabric products are different from general building materials and plastics. The requirements for fire retardants must not only have good fire retardant effects, but also must meet the fabric finishing process, resistance to cleaning (dry cleaning and water washing), resistance to sunlight, no melting and dripping, and low hair growth. A series of requirements include smoke volume, low toxicity, no irritation to the skin, no peculiar smell, no moisture absorption, and low price. In the research work on fire-proof fabrics, low toxicity, low smoke emission, low price and high efficiency, and no impact on the performance of raw fibers are currently the key research topics.
The fire protection problem of single-component fabrics is relatively simple to solve, while chemical fiber fabrics and interwoven fabrics blended with natural fibers and easy-to-melt chemical fibers are more flammable. This is because the chemical fibers melt when exposed to heat, and the natural fibers are like Like a candle wick, it absorbs the melt and promotes further decomposition and oxidation of the polymer, making burning more vigorous. For example, the fire protection technology of commonly used polyester/cotton blended chemical fiber fabric products is still a global problem.
Among the fibers made of natural raw materials, seaweed fiber has good fire resistance, and its LOI can reach 34%. Seaweed fiber can be extracted from brown algae plants in the ocean. my country is rich in marine resources. Some colleges and universities Currently engaged in research on using seaweed fiber to produce fire-proof fabrics. It is an ideal way to achieve fire protection without adding fire retardants, but a lot of work still needs to be done in terms of finishing process and manufacturing cost.
The implementation of fire protection regulations will expand the market for fire retardant fabrics
Since 2001, relevant national ministries and commissions have analyzed and studied the current situation of domestic fire protection technology applications, and proposed to strengthen and improve the regulatory system on fire protection technologies and products. To this end, a series of regulations and corresponding standards have been promulgated. For example, the Fire Protection Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security organized and formulated the mandatory national standard GB20286-2006 “Combustion Performance Requirements for Fireproof Products Used in Public Places”.��Logo》. It was officially implemented on March 1, 2007 and became mandatory on July 1, 2008. This regulation stipulates the definition and classification, combustion performance requirements and labeling of fireproof products and components used in public places. This standard divides fireproof products and components in public places into six major categories: the second category is fireproof fabrics. Fireproof products and components in public places are divided into two levels based on combustion performance: fireproof level 1 and fireproof level 2.
This standard has clear requirements for the combustion performance of various materials and components used in public places, such as decorative wall coverings (felts), curtains, curtains, decorative wrapping cloths (felts), bedspreads, and furniture bags used in public places. The burning performance of fire-resistant fabrics such as cloth should comply with relevant standards.
The scope of public places in our country is so large, and the relevant standards of this regulation are formulated in detail. It can be estimated that with the implementation of this regulation, the market for fireproof fabrics in my country will gradually expand in the future. As people attach more importance to safety and life, when the economy develops to a certain level, like developed countries, they may also be required to promote fire-resistant fabrics for household fabrics, mattresses, pajamas for the elderly and children, etc.
AAAGFREGRTTHR
Extendedreading:https://www.brandfabric.net/full-dull-dobby-print-pongee-breathable-fabric/
