FLAME RETARDANCE OF PROTEIN FIBERS.

Abstract

Proteins are a class of naturally occurring compounds of high molecular weight. They are extremely widespread in nature, being one of the essential constituents of the tissues of plants and animals. Substantial quantities of animal protein fibers come from the hairlike covering of animals; wool from sheep is by far the most important and can be regarded as typical of this class of fiber. Other hair fibers, in general, come from goats (mohair, cashmere), camels, and llamas. The subject is discussed under the following headings - the structure of protein fibers; flammability of wool; mechanism of thermal degradation and combustion; smoke emission and toxic fumes; mechanism of flame retardancy; flame-retardant treatment (nondurable, phosphorus-based flame retardants, metal compounds, chemical modification of wool, and wool/flame-resistant man-made fiber blends).