Combustion properties and thermal decomposition kinetics of flame retardant silk fabrics treated by phytic acid and silica sols

In order to obtain the flame retardant silk fabric, silica sots and phytic acid were prepared and applied to the silk fabrics. Vertical combustion experiment, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectra and smoke density test were used to investigate the combustion behavior, thermal property, and kinetics model of silk fabrics before and after flame retardant finish. The results showed that the sol coating on silk fabrics could increase the carbon residue and hinder the spread of flame when burning, and the tensile strength of treated silk was slightly damaged. Furthermore, the kinetics model of silk thermal decomposition conformed to Avrami-Erofeev model.