Flame Retardant Properties of Viscose Fibers Containing Talcum Powder

Cellulose-insoluble silicate (talcum powder) hybrid fibers with 10%, 20%, 30% silica contents were prepared by wet spinning. The flammabilities and combustion processes were evaluated by the limiting oxygen index (LOT) and cone calorimetry. The LOT results suggested that the hybrid fibers were flame retandant with the LOT value of 22, 25 and 27, as compared to 20 of pure cellulose fibers. Cone calorimetry showed that the rate of heat release value and total heat release value of hybrid fibers decreased. Hybrid fibers with 20% SiO2 loading is the best flame retardant sample. SEM studies of residues after cone calorimetry indicated that the hybrid fibers produced tight and hard residue crusts.