A Review of Durable Flame-Retardant Fabrics by Finishing: Fabrication Strategies and Challenges

Fabrics with durable flame retardancy are of great importance for preventing potential fire threats in daily life. This review presents a comprehensive discussion of advances in durable flame-retardant fabrics by finishing over the decade. The environmentally sustainable and toxicologically acceptable strategies for improving the durable flame retardancy of fabrics are classified into six types:. (i) the formation of covalent bonds, (ii) the formation of crosslinking networks, (iii) the formation of water-insoluble products, (iv) the use of adhesive layers, (v) the construction of hydrophobic layers, and (vi) the intercalation of flame-retardants into fibres. The design principles, methodologies, and existing problems of different fabrication strategies for imparting durable flame retardancy are summarized and reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of each strategy are critically discussed. The current challenges and future opportunities are also proposed based on the current market requirements and state-of-the-art technologies. Many recent methodologies have great potential for replacing the conventional durable flame-retardant processes of cellulosic textiles.