Sustainable Enhancement of Flame Retardancy in Industrial Protective Textiles Using Calcium Alginate Hydrogel Treatment | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Chemistry | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 23 November 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejchem.2025.422960.12334 | ||
| Authors | ||
| shaimaa m.esam zahran* 1; Hafez Hawas2 | ||
| 1spinnind and weaving, applied arts,helwan university, giza,egypt | ||
| 21-Spinning and Weaving dept., Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Giza, Egypt 2-Faculty of Energy and Industrial Technology, October Technological University, Giza, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Abstract This study investigates the sustainable enhancement of flame retardancy in industrial protective textiles via surface treatment using calcium alginate hydrogel. Bamboo and polyester microfiber-based textiles and their 50:50 blends were created in plain 1/1 and twill 2/2 weaves to examine the synergistic effect of fiber content and fabric structure towards fire resistance. The samples were then treated with 10% sodium alginate solution and subsequently underwent ionic crosslinking with calcium ions to form a stable calcium alginate hydrogel coating on the surface of the fabric. The treated samples were characterized in a systematic manner in terms of areal density, thickness, char length, and flammability, for example, Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) and vertical flame tests.Results revealed that twill 2/2 weaves with increased percentage of bamboo showed increased weight, thickness, and fire retardancy based on increased hydrogel absorption values and innate bamboo fiber characteristics. The blended fabrics (50% bamboo : 50% polyester microfiber) also had enhanced flame-retardant properties, which were described through increased retention of fire-retardant material as well as the ability to suppress the flame spread by sequestration of free radicals within the gas-phase combustion zone. Char length and LOI analysis confirmed the significant improvement of fire resistance by the hydrogel coating, while fabric structure and fiber composition played a significant role in gaining optimised performance.These findings validate a self-evident correlation between the building of the fabric, the material composition, and the flame resistance, highlighting that calcium alginate hydrogel treatment is a sustainable, green, and efficient method to attain enhanced protection of industrial protective wear. The study highlights the potentiality of natural polymer-based finishes in designing resistant textiles to the challenging conditions of extreme temperature industrial settings, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical-based flame retardants. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Flame retardant; protective textile; bamboo/polyester blends; Sodium Alginate; Calcium Alginate hydrogel; sustainability | ||
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