Flame-retardant (FR) PET fibers have a wide range of applications. There are two primary approaches to obtaining flame-retardant PET fiber: copolymerizing and blending. In the copolymerization approach, the phosphorus (P) content of the final fiber cannot exceed 6,000 ppm, making it unsuitable for scenarios with stringent flame-retardant performance requirements. On the other hand, the blending approach entails melting blending flame retardants with polyester. Yet, traditional flame retardants are mostly solid, impairing the spinning process of fiber.

The benchmark PET fiber flame retardant is Nofia HM1100, developed by FRX Polymers. This product is applicable to both PET film and fiber. However, it suffers from drawbacks such as high dosage level, which equals high material cost. Additionally, it necessitates the use of special drying equipment.

Inovia Materials has developed flame retardant ER-F5100 based on ionic liquid for PET film. At a dosage of only 1.5%, UL94 VTM-0 is afforded, whereas HM1100 requires 25%. The significant reduction of necessary dosage leads to significant materials cost drop and substantial improvement of the film properties.

Recently, Inovia Materials has developed a flame retardant based on ionic liquids for PET fiber. Its masterbatch, XW-M150, contains 10% flame retardant. At 5% dosage of the FR masterbatch, the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of PET fabrics increased more than 30%. And no dripping is generated. In contrast, HM1100 needs 6.5% to meet the application requirements.

Table 1 Effect of FR Masterbatch on LOI

Table 2 Effect of FR Masterbatch on Vertical Burning Test of Textiles

Table 3 Inovia PET Fiber Flame Retardant vs. Nofia HM1100

By now, Inovia Materials is the world’s first and only company dedicated to developing ionic liquid-based plastic additives. We offer two core product lines: flame retardants and flow agents. For the first time, we integrated the emerging ionic liquid materials into the traditional additives industry. Our core mission is to resolve the critical pain points and challenges plaguing the market, and to facilitate the upgrading and transformation of the plastics and related industrial chains.

Welcome worldwide manufacturers to discuss cooperation with us!