Effect of Nanoclays on Thermal and Flame Retardant Properties of Intumescent Coated Cotton Fabric

The cotton fabric was coated with flame retardant intumescent formulations containing different nanoclays (kaolin, bentonite, nanomer 1.34TCN, nanomer 1.28E) using K-control coater. The thermal behavior of samples was studied using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The flame retardant properties were studied using auto flammability test and limiting oxygen index (LOI) to study the effect of different nanoclays with intumescent formulation on cotton fabric. The thermal analysis shows that the onset decomposition temperature of the coated cotton fabric is lowered whereas the temperature at mid of the decomposition is increased on coating. Thermal stability of coated samples is increased after 300°C, the rate of weight loss is reduced and char yield is increased in comparison to pure cotton fabric. A significant reduction in flame spread time in auto flammability test is observed on inclusion of nanoclays into intumescent system coated onto the cotton fabric. LOI value for pure cotton fabric is increased from 18% to significant values in the range 27.5–28.5% on coating fabric with intumescent system containing nanoclays.