Production of a Fully Fireproof PVC Synthetic Leather Article

Our study is dedicated to enhancing the fire resistance of PVC synthetic leather, a material extensively employed in various industries like fashion, furniture, footwear, leather goods, and automotive upholstery as an alternative to traditional animal leather. In light of growing ethical and environmental concerns associated with animal leather production, the quest for PVC synthetic leather as a more sustainable choice has gained momentum. Nevertheless, addressing the fire performance of PVC-coated textiles is crucial for their wider acceptance. In our previous work, we’ve achieved a significant breakthrough by effectively applying a flame retardant treatment to the polymeric layers of PVC synthetic leather. This treatment amalgamates commonly used flame retardants for PVC, yielding highly promising results and underscoring the potential for augmenting the fire resistance of PVC synthetic leather. To further propel the development of fully fire-resistant PVC synthetic leather, our approach encompasses the creation of a flame-retardant textile substrate, seamlessly integrated with the pre-existing flame-retardant polymeric layers. Our rigorous analysis of morphology conclusively demonstrates the efficacy of the flame-retardant treatment in preserving the structural integrity of the textile substrate while ensuring impeccable adhesion between the polymeric layers and the textile substrate. We conduct a comprehensive evaluation of fire behavior through qualitative assessments using the vertical flame test, complemented by quantitative characterization methodologies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is leveraged to scrutinize the morphological alterations induced by the flame-retardant treatment. By contrasting the surface topography and microstructure of the textile substrate before and after treatment, we gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of the flame-retardant treatment in preserving the textile’s morphology. Our research constitutes a significant stride in advancing ethical and sustainable flame-retardant alternatives to traditional animal leather by imparting enhanced fire resistance to PVC synthetic leather.