Effects of Flame Retardant on the Flammability of Treated and Untreated Bagasse Papers

A comparative study of the proximate analysis, fire characteristics, and mechanical properties of the papers produced from pretreated and untreated bagasse was carried out. The bagasse collected was washed, dried, depithed and ground to pass through a 5 mm sieve using an electric milling machine. A portion was pulped without pretreatment, while others were pretreated (acetylation) before pulping and washing. After which different mass (0,2,4,6,8 and 10 g) of potassium aluminum sulphate, KAl(SO4)2.12H2O (alum) as flame retardant was added. The proximate analysis, fire characteristics and mechanical properties were determined. Results show that cellulose content increased with an increase in the concentration of potassium aluminum sulphate, while hemicellulose content increased from 24%-34% for flame retarded paper with 0-10 g concentration of alum. Lignin content also increased from 21.3%-63.2% for flame retarded paper with 0-10 g concentration of alum, respectively. Ash content varied with an increase in the concentration of potassium aluminum sulphate. Results from fire characteristics show that flame propagation and flame duration rate decreased with an increase in the concentration of alum, while ignition time and char formation increased in the concentration of alum. The mechanical properties, tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break were enhanced. Conclusively, pretreatment enhanced the properties of bagasse papers produced.