Abstract:

In order to improve its flame retardant properties, acrylic fabric was pretreated with nitrilase, followed by zinc borate flame retardant finishing in order to improve its flame retardant properties. The enhancement of flame retardant property was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), Zeta potential measurement, weight gain rate and limiting oxygen index (LOI). The results showed that enzymatic pretreatment efficiently improve the adsorption and combination of zinc Borate on acrylic fibers. So the flame retardant property of acrylic fabric further improved. The weight gain rate and LOI value of nitrilase/zinc borate treated sample increased respectively 4.9% and 10.3% compaired with zinc borate treated sample. The limiting oxygen index of the treated sample increased to 27.8%.

Key words: acrylic fabric, flame retardant finishing, nitrilase, zinc borate