The history of flame retardant for fabric

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.

These techniques are used to make natural fibers fire-resistant. However, as synthetic materials begin to dominate the cotton market, cotton producers need to figure out better ways to promote their products. The demand for flame-retardant garments by the Army Supply Corps has rapidly increased research on fire-resistant fabrics. Advanced technology in the 20th century allowed scientists to begin chemical modification of the surface and the cellulose molecules in cotton fibers. In order to make this special process commercially viable, scientists must work hard to find a combination of chemicals that can maintain the strength and durability of cotton without being too expensive.

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.