Iws Nominee Co. Limited

International Wool Secretariat

Ladislav Benisek

A method for improving both the flame-resist and smoke emission properties of natural polyamide fibers comprising applying thereto an anionic complex of zirconium, citric acid and fluoride at an acid pH.

Zirconium flame-resist, low smoke emission treatment

The flame resistance of wool and other polyamide fibres is enhanced by depositing in the fibres a complexed zirconium compound formed with an organic chelating agent or a halide. From 0.5 to 5% of Zr (as ZrO.sub.2) is preferred and the zirconium should be in the form of an anionic complex and applied at a pH in the range 0.5 to 4. The complex can be applied by impregnation or exhaustion techniques or may be formed in situ in the fibres. Dyes including acid, premetallized and reactive dyes can be applied at the same time as the zirconium complex. Particularly preferred complexes include fluorozirconates, chlorozirconates and oxalic and citric acid complexes. Fluorocarbon and other oil- or water-repellent finishes are compatible with the zirconium complex.

Zirconium flame-resist treatment

Flame resistance of polyamide materials, notably wool and other keratinous materials, is enhanced by application of tungsten from acid solutions of anionic tungsten complexes. Still more effective treatment is obtained by simultaneously applying anionic complexes of zirconium or titanium. The complexes can be applied by exhaustion from a bath, preferably below pH 3.5 and at temperatures from 30.degree. to 100.degree.C. Dyes can be simultaneously applied from the same bath. Textiles can be padded in the solution and dried. The complexes may be isopolytungstates or heteropolytungstates and may be prepared with the help of organic carboxylic or hydroxycarboxylic acids.

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Ilkley, United Kingdom

Ladislav Benisek