PERFORMANCE OF FLAME-RETARDANT AND WATER REPELLENT FINISHES FOR KENAFCOTTON BLEND FABRICS/

To evaluate the serviceability of a new textile product made of an unc onventional fiber blend, it is important to determine if the fabric me ets the specific standards required for the intended end-use. The valu e-added textile products of interest were fabrics made of 50:50 kenaf/ cotton in the filling direction and 100% cotton in the warp direction. To explore a high-value and high-volume market for these kenaf/cotton fabrics, it is predicted that tentage and awnings would be a potentia l product, However, to pass the specifications required for military t entage, the fabrics have to be strong, water repellent, mildew resista nt, and flame resistant. Therefore, the specific objectives of this st udy were to impart water repellency and flame retardancy to these fabr ics, evaluate the performance and durability of the finishes, and stud y the physical acid chemical changes that result from these finishes. It can be concluded that to achieve the most durable water repellency and flame retardancy, the finish should be applied by a one-step proce ss, with appropriate softening agents and catalysts and ammoniation an d oxidizing cycles.