The development of flame retardant

When you think of fire-resistant clothing, you may soon think of firefighters, welders, and even electricians. When sparks and flames occur, people in heat-consuming industries need suitable equipment. They have special flame-retardant gloves and jackets to prevent injuries. But how were the durable materials used in flame-retardant clothing originally developed? Fortunately for us, scientists in the past have dealt with the "trial and error" process that is most likely to burn hair.

Initially, flame-retardant materials first appeared around 400 BC, but it was not until the 17th century that their demand increased dramatically. In 1632, the idea of ​​reducing the risk of fire in theaters was born in Paris. After making gypsum and clay fire-resistant, the process of manufacturing flame-retardant materials has begun. If humans intervene in chemistry to naturally dispose of flammable fibers, potential harm can be prevented.

In the 18th century, alum and ammonium were used to make fabric flame retardants. The first formal experiment was conducted in 1820. A chemist named Gay-Lussac believes that the two salts help make the fabric flame retardant. The first salt forms a glass layer on the fabric when it has a low melting point, and the second salt decomposes into non-flammable vapor when heated. This is another step towards making today's textiles flame retardant. By the 20th century, other scientists completed the same method, adding tin oxide to fabrics to make them flame-retardant. Tin oxide, also known as tin oxide, is an off-white powdered product that is thermally processed from tin metal.

The discovery of Tetra (hydroxylmethyl) phosponium chloride (THPC) in 1953 promoted the development of fabric flame retardant technology. THPC can be applied to construction materials such as cotton, paper, plastic, paint, and furniture. Over time, research continues to improve the use of THPC. The Combustible Textiles Act of 1953 changed the way clothing is manufactured and sold. Clothing can no longer be made of dangerous flammable fibers, and even before it is sold, the clothing must pass the Consumer Product Safety Commission test. This includes mandatory flammability standards. Special regulations have also been formulated to ensure that children’s pajamas are made of flame-retardant fabrics.