Kinetic and Thermogravimetric Analysis of Thermal Degradation of Polychlal Fiber/Cotton Blend

In order to consider the design of flame retardant fabrics from blends of a nonflammable and a flammable fiber, the thermal degradation of each and blends of fiber has been studied using a conventional dynamic ther mogravimetric technique in a flowing air atmosphere at several heating rates. Dynamic thermogravimetric analysis was conducted on polychlal fiber/cotton blends to elucidate chemical kinetic parameters and mechanisms. A mech anism for the interaction between polychlal fiber and cotton was suggested. The volatile products formed from polychlal fiber degradation at early degrada tion stages appear to play an important role in retarding the flammability of cotton. The activation energies for fractional weight loss in degradation of the blends were determined from thermogravimetric curves at various heating rates.