Proban process

These are water-soluble crystalline compounds sold as concentrated aqueous solutions. The methylol groups are highly reactive (118—122) and capable of being cured on the fabric by reaction with ammonia or amino compounds to form durable cross-linked finishes, probably having phosphine oxide stmctures after post-oxidizing. This finishing process, as developed by Albright Wilson, is known as the Proban process. 

A variation on the THPC-urea system was developed to produce finishes with less stiffness and fibre damage (Proban process). A precondensate is prepared by the careful reaction of THPC with urea. This precondensate is padded onto the fabric and the fabric is dried to a specific moisture content ( 15 %). The fabric is then exposed to ammonia vapours in a special reaction chamber, followed by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (Fig. 8.13). The polymer that forms is primarily located in the lumen of the cotton fibre. The final finish provides durable flame retardancy to cotton with much improved fabric properties. It is important to note... 

Finishes based on these reagents are durable to numerous launderings. This finish is primarily used on work clothing. This finishing process, developed by Albright Wilson (now marketed by Rhodia), is known as the PROBAN process, which employs a precondensate of the phosphonium compoimd with urea (125, 126). 

Proban A process for rendering textiles flame-retardant by treatment with tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium chloride (THPC). Invented at the U.S. Regional Research Laboratory in New Orleans, LA, in the early 1950s. Commercialized in 1955 under the trade name Proban by Proban Ltd., a joint venture between the Bradford Dyers Association and Albright Wilson. Now offered by Rhodia. 

Hame retardants for apparel need to be durable because they need to be washed freqnently. This can be obtained by several routes. For cotton, the best known commercial processes are the Proban and Pyrovatex processes ... 

The chemistry of the Proban and Pyrovatex processes has been presented elsewhere (Hall, 2000). Research on the durability of FR treated cotton has been performed by Chen et al. (2012), who made comparisons among Proban and Pyrovatex FRs. An increase in damaged length as in an afterglow was noticed on all treated fabrics after 15 cycles of domestic washing. No considerable effect was detected on the comfort properties (e.g., air and vapor permeability). 

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