FLAME RETARDANTS ON UPHOLSTERY

Hidden Danger

The most common use of flame retardants on residential upholstered furnishings is found inside down-filled cushions. The cotton fabric, or “ticking,” encasing the down is treated with a flame retardant.

Unfortunately, many of these chemicals are hydrophilic (water loving), which means moisture is drawn to the flame retardant. With enough moisture, the chemical can actually migrate to the face fabric.

Homes close to coastlines and regions with high humidity are particularly at risk as are furnishings in garden and pool rooms and other “damp” areas. This migration process can also be accelerated by water-based cleaning of the upholstery.

Permanent Changes

The color changes involved in these situations are generally not reversible. Occasionally, alkaline based chemicals such as Fiber-Seal Systems’ WunderKleen can be applied to the affected area, slowing or stopping further damage. In some rare cases it has been able to reverse the damage.

Accountability

It has been our experience that manufacturers of flame retardants do not warranty their product for color changes or long-term damage. Likewise, most furniture manufacturers will take no responsibility when this problem occurs.

Quite often, customers are left with no recourse but to replace the fabric.

The Damage

When the acidic flame retardant chemical comes in contact with the face fabric, it can change the dyes or damage the fibers.

Eventually this chemical reaction becomes apparent as color changes begin to occur on the surface of the fabric.

All dyed fabric can change color over time, but in most cases of dye damage from flame retardants, it is the blue dyes that seem to be most affected. These blue dyes can change to gray, purple or pink. In all cases, the changes are very subtle at first, and then become more noticeable with time.

On white or light-colored cotton fabrics, the damage caused by acidic flame retardants shows up as a yellowing or browning condition, usually very mottled in appearance. The color change usually starts to appear within six to twelve months after installation and becomes darker as the fabric gets older.

We are therefore developing a series of non-halogen flame retardants for textile back coating. These products were historically classified as Environmentally Hazardous Substances.There is no change in their flame retardant performance or processing characteristics.

 Young Yao

Marketing development manager

Zhejiang Ruico Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. (Stock No.873233)

Add: No.188, Liangshan Road, Linghu Town, Nanxun District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China 313018

Phone: +86 (572) 2903236

Fax: +86 (572) 2905222

WhatsApp: +86 15088303595

Wechat: 18458299199

Website: www.ruicoglobal.com

[email protected]