The quantitative application of mineral oil and its effect on the flammability of polyester and acetate/polyester FR fabrics used for women's nightgowns

Abstract

Two brushed tricot fabrics, a 100% polyester and an 80% acetate/20% polyester FR, were used to pursue the following objectives: 1) to develop a procedure for uniformly applying a known amount of mineral oil to the fabric specimens; 2) to develop a procedure for handling and conditioning the specimens which would maintain the uniformity of the treatment; 3) to determine whether the calculated amount of oil add-on could be verified by extraction; and 4) to determine the effects of mineral oil on fabric flammability before and after laundering in hard water with an alkali built soap.

Major findings of the research included the following: 1) an oil-solvent system was selected for applying the oil to the fabric specimens; 2) a system to reduce the migration of oil on the treated specimens was developed; 3) mineral oil increased flammability at approximately 25% and above add-on levels; 4) a synergistic effect on fabric flammability between oil and calcium deposits could not be identified; and 5) a reproducible difference was found between oil contents determined by extraction and those determined by weighing after treatment.