A Study of Flammability of Cotton, Polyester, and their Blends

Abstract

This study was undertaken to measure quantitatively the effect of temperature on the oxygen index values of several fabric samples of cotton, polyester, and their blends. The smoke density generated during the burning of these fabric samples at their oxygen indices was also studied at various temperature conditions. The results indicate a definite rela tionship of burning behavior with temperature, fabric weight, and composition of the blends. Two commercially avail able flame-retardant finishes were employed in this comparative flammability study of treated and untreated specimens. A novel instrument, which complies with standard laboratory procedures, was employed throughout this study, and it was found to be versatile, convenient, and highly reproducible in the generation of the data.