Evaluation of an eco-friendly flame retardant treatment applied to cellulosic textiles used for the conservation of historical tapestries

This work evaluates the performance and feasibility of the use of flame-retardant textiles, treated with an eco-friendly procedure (COEX®), for the conservation and exhibition of historical tapestries. Four fabrics currently in use at the Laboratory of Conservation of Tapestries and Carpets of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence were evaluated with Attenuated Total Reflection - Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Fibre Optics Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS), and Energy Disperse Spectroscopy - Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS). Besides, the tensile strength, flame-retardancy, pH, and water absorption of the fabrics before and after the treatment were tested. Two critical factors were identified, the pH and the tensile strength. The results showed suitable characteristics of the treated fabrics, particularly for the application as roller cover for the tapestries storage.