The fire retardant behavior of various chlorides on cellulose

Abstract

TG, DTA, and TMA data on the pyrolysis of α-cellulase powder in air is reported together with the modified pyrolysis behavior of the cellulose impregnated with between 2–3% (w/w) of calcium, potassium, sodium and zinc chlorides. The lower temperature of onset of the pyrolysis (as shown by TG and TMA), the increased peak areas of the DTA exotherms, and the elimination of an initial endotherm present in the pure cellulose, all suggest an increased flammability for the impregnated samples. Other properties of the impregnated celluloses however favor a fire retardancy effect; these are an increase in the temperature of the first exothermic peak on the DTA, a reduction in the maximum rate of mass loss, a reduction in the% mass loss occurring in the first mass loss period, and an increase in the% ash remaining at 800°C. The relative effect of the various chlorides is examined and shown to correlate with other data already published.