Abstract: The instant invention relates to a composition useful as a precursor for imparting flame-retardant properties to textile articles, comprising a condensate of: (a) a tetrakis (hydroxyorgano) phosphonium sulfate THPS; (b) urea, or alternatively thiourea; (c) optionally, and preferably, an aliphatic hydroxyl-reactive compound, such an amine wherein said composition has a very low free formaldehyde content, namely of less than 0.1%.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a textile article comprising a flame-retardant treated fabric including an oxidized polymer obtained from an ammonia curing of a condensate of (i) a tetrakis (hydroxyorgano) phosphonium salt; and (ii) urea or thiourea; followed by an oxidation into phosphine oxide groups of at least one part of the phosphonium groups present on the cured condensate, wherein said flame-retardant treated fabric: —is intended to be used as a stable substrate in which the formation of formaldehyde over the time is inhibited; and —contains less than 1% by weight of phosphorus present in phosphonium groups, based on the total weight of the flame-retardant treated fabric.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating textile material to confer flame retardant properties, the method comprising the steps of impregnating the material with an aqueous solution of a treatment agent which is a poly(hydroxyorgano)phosphonium compound; drying the impregnated material; curing the dried impregnated material with ammonia to produce a cured, water-insoluble polymer which is mechanically fixed within the fibers of the material; oxidizing the cured polymer to convert trivalent phosphorus to pentavalent phosphorus; and washing and drying the material; wherein one or both of steps (d) and (e) result in the co-production of an aqueous effluent; and wherein the conditions are controlled such that the atomic ratio of N:P present on the material increases during step (c) by 0.8 or more.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of textile material having a threat face and a rear face, so as to obtain a treated material that is flame retardant but also provides protection from molten metal splash on the threat face, the method comprising: a) providing a textile material that comprises cotton and/or wool, and that has a weight of 250g/m2 or more; b) coating the threat face of the material with water repellent; c) applying a flame retardant treatment, comprising a precursor of a flame retardant agent, to at least the rear face of the material; and d) carrying out a fixing process that generates the flame retardant agent in situ and fixes it to the textile material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating textile material to confer flame retardant properties, the method comprising the steps of impregnating the material with an aqueous solution of a treatment agent which is a poly (hydroxyorgano) phosphonium compound; drying the impregnated material; curing the dried impregnated material with ammonia to produce a cured, water-insoluble polymer which is mechanically fixed within the fibres of the material; oxidising the cured polymer to convert trivalent phosphorus to pentavalent phosphorus; and washing and drying the material; wherein one or both of steps (d) and (e) result in the co-production of an aqueous effluent; and wherein the conditions are controlled such that the atomic ratio of N:P present on the material increases during step (c) by 0.8 or more.

Abstract: Flame retardant cellulosic fabrics having reduced shrinkage are obtained by treatment involving reaction of fabric with a non self-condensing methylolamide under aqueous acid conditions, followed by treatment of fabric with tetrakis hydroxylmethyl phosphonium compound or condensate and then curing the ammonia.

Abstract: Flame retardant cellulosic fabrics having reduced shrinkage are obtained by treatment of fabric with a tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium compound or condensate and then curing with ammonia, followed by treatment involving reaction of the fabric with a non self-condensing methylolamide under aqueous acid conditions.

Abstract: A flame retardant composition comprises at least one cyclic phosphonate ester and at least one phosphono amide. The ester and the amide are present in a ratio by weight of 0.1 to 2:1. A co-curing agent (e.g. urea, ethylene urea or an amino-triazine) may be included. The composition may also contain a non-rewetting agent and/or a softening or conditioning agent. The composition is used for the flame retardant treatment of a fabric by first impregnating the fabric with an aqueous solution of the composition and then heating the impregnated fabric at at least 100.degree. C. and under acid pH conditions.