Flame retarded textiles - the conservator's problem?

This bachelor thes is in textile conservaHon deal s with issues cancerning flame-relardant finishes on textiles, and whether flame-praofing chemicals may develop inlo a problem for the preservation and conservation of treated textiles. The fundamental questions deal! with concern which textiles are being treated with flame-proofing agents, as weil as degradation, health and environmental aspects. To address these quesHons mainly wrilten sources have been studied. Previous research on the effect of flame-proofing agents on textiles in museum collections is scarce, which might be why there has been minimal aUention given this subject in the field of textile conservation. Furnishings in public places need to meet the requirements for local and national fire regula lions and are therefore often subjected to fire-proofing treatments. Objects thaI might have a fire-proofing treatment are theatre curlains, drapes, upholstered furniture and textile art and hangings. Textiles made of wool have good thermal properties and usually do not require any added chemicals to be fire-proof. Cellulose-based textiles, on the other hand, are easily ignited and burn readily. They are therefore more often given a flame-prooHng finish. Flame-retardants have the ability to delay ignition but cannot prevent it completely. The most common flame-retardanls can be divided into four groups: inorganic- , organophosphoros-, halogenated- and nitrogen-based flame retardants. Som e of the commonly used flame-retardants have appeared lo cause damage to both the environment and human health. Three subslances (tris (2,3-d ibromopropyl) phosphate, tris (1-aziridinyl) phosphine oxid e and polybrominated biphenyls) have subsequently been banned in Sweden for use with textiles that are worn in contacl wilh Ihe skin. Problems concerning flame-retardants' degrading properties on textiles were reported as earlyas the 1960s, but there has been little further research into the subject. A chemical which has been frequently used is ammonium phosphate, Unfortunately, it has been shown lo degrade textile fibres and cause a colour change. Textile conservators may sometimes need lo test the presence of flameretardants in textiles to be able to choose the best conservation treaiment. The best way is to do an elemental analys is. One of the conclusions of this work is that flame-retardanl finishes have a negative effect on textiles, and that conservators and museum persannei who handle textile collections need lo be aware of this. ThaI is one way to help prevent further unnecessary treatments, especially on works of art. By discussing the matter with the local emergency services il may be possible lo find other solutions.Uppsats för avläggande av filosofie kandidatexamen i kulturvård 15 hp Institutionen för kulturvård Göteborgs universitet 2008:10 GÖTEBORG