Examination of structural and thermal properties of polypropylene filament yarns produced with flame-retardant additives

Abstract

Polypropylene multifilament yarns produced with flame-retardant (FR) additives have a significant place in the technical textile market. Determination of the technical performances of these multifilaments is very important. In addition, effects of the additive in the filament structure on the thermal and structural properties of the filament must be examined. In this study, new polypropylene polymer (PP) filament yarns having FR properties were produced and their thermal properties and crystallization data were determined and results are interpreted. Thermal properties and crystallization data of the PP multifilament yarns were determined by DSC analysis. Further, values of crystalline region ratio were determined and thermogram graphs of all samples were interpreted. As can be seen from the graphs, PP filaments had two consecutive melting points because PP has a double melting peak due to its structural character. Also, it has been observed that there is a direct proportionality between the melting enthalpy values of PP filaments and crystalline region ratios (%). The melting point was not significantly affected by the amount of FR additive. The addition of FR granule to PP filament further increases the enthalpy (∆H_m) required to melt the filament but there was no effect on melting temperature due to loading of FR additive to the PP filament yarns. Also, mechanical properties (tenacity and breaking elongation) and unevenness values were determined.