Flame Retardant Finishing and Dyeing of Cotton Fabric in One Bath

Flame resistant cotton fabric is usually dyed first, and is then treated with a flame retardant by the pad-dry-cure technique. In this research, cotton fabric was treated with 2-(2-aminoethyl hydrogen phosphite)-4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine (APDCT). APDCT contains s-triazine groups, which are the same used by reactive dyes. This process allows cotton fabric dyeing and flame retardant treatment to occur simultaneously, while decreasing treatment temperature, improving efficiency, and saving energy. Optimal treatment was determined by the percent dye uptake, fixation, and fabric flame resistance. The color fastness to rubbing of the treated cotton fabric was almost unchanged. The tensile strength of the treated cotton fabric was slightly reduced.