Polyurethane/clay and polyurethane/POSS nanocomposites as flame retarded coating for polyester and cotton fabrics

Abstract Polyurethane resins (PU) are widely used as coatings for textile fabrics in order to improve some properties (for example mechanical behaviour, water repellency and air impermeability). Two kinds of additives have been added to the polyurethane in order to provide flame retardancy to the coated textile structure: montmorillonite clay and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) have been used to process PU nanocomposites. The paper presents some results obtained with PU/clay and PU/POSS coated polyester or cotton fabrics, using cone calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The efficiency of the additive chosen is clearly demonstrated and discussed. In particular, the great potential of using POSS for fire retardant applications is highlighted. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.