A New Durable Nonphosphorus Flame Retardant for Cotton Based on Tetramethylol 2,4-Diamino-6- (3,3,3-Tribromo-1-Propyl)-1,3,5-Triazine
A new flame retardant for cotton, tetramethylol 2,4-diamino-6-(3,3,3-tribromo-1-propyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TM-DABT), was synthesized. TM-DABT was applied to cotton fabrics from a combination of water and dimethylformamide by a pad-dry-cure process. It polymerized rapidly on fabric at 140°C to give excellent flame retardancy. Flannelette and twill with add-ons of 13.3% and 11.3%, respectively, passed the FF3–71 flammability test after 50 laundering, with char lengths of 4.7 and 3.4 inches. There was evidence of cellulose crosslinking because fabrics had improved wrinkle-recovery angles, and cotton fibers were insoluble in cupriethylenediamine hydroxide. The finish was heat-sensitive, as evidenced by noticeable yellowing when white fabrics were cured at 150°C or above, or when they were laundered repeatedly. Various physical properties of the fabrics are presented, as well as oxygen index and thermogravimetric analyses.