Note: Effect of flame retardant treatment on energy of pyrolysis/combustion of wood cellulose

The effect of potassium aluminium sulphate, (hereafter referred to as alum) on the energy of pyrolysis/combustion of wood cellulose was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was observed that the energy of pyrolysis of all the materials employed increases with flame retardant loading. Hence, alum functions as flame retardant (FR) by a complex process that entails the dehydration, condensed phase and vapour phase mechanisms. An attempt is made to explain this fact.