The effect of magnesium chloride hydrate on the fire retardation of cellulosic fibers

Thermal analysis was used to investigate the effect of the addition of magnesium chloride hexahydrate as a fire retardant to cellulosic fibers. The kinetics of the decomposition of the cellulosic material were first studied. The decomposition of the dry salt was also investigated and three steps disclosed. Then, the fabrics were impregnated into salt solutions of different concentrations and the loss in mass was followed by thermal analysis. The percent loss in mass was compared to that of pure cellulosic fabric at different temperatures. It was found that there is an appreciable improvement in fire retardation at a minimum percent add-on of the salt of 35%.