Abstract: The thermal degradat ion of hemp cellulose is treated with flame retardants containing boric acid, borax and boric acid( borax) - formaldehyde- NaHSO₃ . The samples treated with boric acid( borax ) - formaldehyde- NaHSO₃ systems have the better flame retardance than that treated with boric acid or borax.Moreover, there is no crystalloid on the cellulosic surface. Experiments demonstrate that the temperature of the thermal degradation onset point and the activat ion energy of thermal degradation stage are lower for hemp cellulose treated with boric acid( borax) - formaldehyde-NaHSO₃ systems than those of pure hemp cellulose, and an increase in char yield and LOI.

Key words: hemp cellulose, flame retardants, thermal analysis, thermal degradation