Anti-dripping and flame-retardant sol-gel treatments for polyester fabrics

Hybrid organic-inorganic sols with and without boehmite nanoparticles were used to finish polyester fabrics. The treated samples have been thoroughly investigated by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled to elemental analysis and thermogravimetry. Furthermore, the flammability of the coated fabrics has been assessed and compared with that achieved by applying the two components separately. Flammability tests have shown that the sol-gel treatment in the presence of boehmite nanoparticles is able to suppress the dripping phenomena, which are the main issue to solve for polyester fabrics.