Influence of alkaline metal ions on flame retardancy and thermal degradation of cellulose fibers

Cellulose-Na and cellulose-K fibers are obtained by alkalization and etherification of viscose fiber. Flame retardancy and thermal degradation of cellulose-Na and cellulose-K fibers are investigated using limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimetry (CONE), thermal gravimetry (TG), and differential TG (DTG). The LOI values of cellulose-Na and cellulose-K fibers are 33 and 30, compared with about 20 for viscose fiber. In CONE studies, cellulose-Na and cellulose-K fibers show much lower heat release rates, total heat release and effective heats of combustion than viscose fiber does. In addition, TG and DTG studies reveal that the second initial degradation temperature, the temperature of maximum degradation rate and the maximum degradation rate for cellulose-Na and cellulose-K fibers are much lower than those of viscose fiber. Cellulose-Na and cellulose-K fibers generate much more residue or carbonaceous char than viscose fiber does. Scanning electron microscopy studies of combustion residues after LOI testing indicate that cellulose-Na and cellulose-K fibers produce massive, thick residue crusts.