Flammability of polyamide-6/clay hybrid nanocomposite textiles

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 75; no. 2; pp. 397 - 402
• Main Authors: Bourbigot, Serge, Devaux, Eric, Flambard, Xavier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2002; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Flame retardancy; Flammability; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Montmorillonite; Nanocomposite; Polyamide-6; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Textile; Flammability; Flame retardancy; Nanocomposite; Textile; Polyamide-6; Montmorillonite; Heat resistance; Organic clay; Thermooxidative degradation; Flame retardant; Melt spinning; Dispersion reinforced material; Experimental study; Smoke reducer; Composite material; Thread; Thermal properties; Amide 6 polymer; Preparation; Woven material
• ISSN: 0141-3910; 1873-2321
• DOI: 10.1016/S0141-3910(01)00245-2

The flammability of polyamide-6 (PA-6)/clay nanocomposites used as textile fabrics has been investigated. PA-6/clay nanocomposite (PA-6nano) was prepared by melt blending and had an exfoliated structure. TG curves suggest that PA-6 is slightly stabilised between 450 and 600 °C. PA-6nano was processed via melt spinning to make multifilament yarns. Textiles have been evaluated as knitted fabrics and it is shown that the heat release rate of PA-6nano evaluated with the cone calorimeter at 35 kW/m 2 is reduced by 40% in comparison with pure PA-6. This result offers a new promising route for flame retarding textiles with a permanent effect (laundry resistance) at relatively low cost and keeping the basic properties of the textiles.