Production of flame retardant fiber blend having desirable textile

Abstract

A blend of discrete polyester and cotton fibers comprising a substantial proportion of polyester fibers (i.e., about 50 to 70 percent by weight polyester fibers based upon the total weight of polyester and cotton fibers) effectively is rendered non-burning while retaining the desirable textile properties (e.g., hand and aesthetic appeal) normally associated with this blend. The polyester and cotton fibers are physically admixed with discrete additive fibers formed from a synthetic aromatic polymer containing chlorine, bromine, or mixtures thereof chemically bound to an aromatic ring which is substantially free of an oxide of antimony (as described), and an organophosphorus flame retardant is topically applied to the resulting blend in a minor concentration (i.e., about 2 to 20 percent by weight based upon the total weight of the fibers of polyester, cotton, and synthetic aromatic polymer). Particularly preferred additive fibers are formed from the reaction product of tetrabromobisphenol A, isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid or the ester-forming derivatives thereof. The resulting admixture of fibers preferably is provided in the configuration of a fabric prior to the topical application of the organophosphorus flame retardant.