Thermal and flame retardant properties of novel intumescent flame retardant low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composites

A char-forming agent (CFA) and silica-gel-microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (MCAPP) were selected to form novel intumescent flame retardant system (IFRs), and then the influence of this novel IFRs on the thermal and flame retardant properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were studied. The results of cone calorimetry show that the flame retardant properties of LDPE with 30?wt% novel IFR (CFA/MCAPP?=?1:3) improve remarkably. The heat release rate peak, total heat release (THR) decreases, respectively, from 1479.6 to 273.5?kW?m^?2 and from 108.0 to 80.5?MJ?m^?2. The LDPE composite with CFA/MCAPP?=?1:3 has the excellent water resistance, and it can still obtain a UL-94?V-0 rating after treated with water at 70?°C for 168?h.     

Synergistic effect between a char forming agent (CFA) and microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate on the thermal and flame retardant properties of polypropylene

The synergistic effect between a char forming agent (CFA) and microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (MAPP) on the thermal and flame retardancy of polypropylene (PP) are investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, cone calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron micrograph (SEM), and water resistance test. The results of cone calorimetry show that heat release rate peak (PHRR), total heat release (THR), and the mass loss of PP with 30 wt% intumescent flame retardant (IFR, CFA/MAPP = 1:2) decreases remarkably compared with that of pure PP. The HRR, THR, and mass loss decrease, respectively from 1140 to 100 kW/m², from 96 to 16.8 MJ/m², and from 100 to 40%. The PP composite with CFA/MAPP = 1:2 has the best water resistance, and it can still obtain a UL‐94 V‐0 rating after 168 hr soaking in water. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flame retardancy and thermal degradation of intumescent flame retardant polypropylene material

The flame retardancy and thermal degradation properties of polypropylene (PP) containing intumescent flame retardant additives, i.e. melamine pyrophosphate (MPyP) and charring‐foaming agent (CFA) were characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL 94, cone calorimeter, microscale combustion calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It has been found that the PP material containing only MPyP does not show good flame retardancy even at 30% additive level. Compared with the PP/MPyP binary system, the LOI values of the PP/MPyP/CFA ternary materials at the same additive loading are all increased, and UL 94 rating is raised to V‐0 from no rating (PP/MPyP). The cone calorimeter results show that the heat release rate and mass loss rate of some ternary materials decrease in comparison with the binary material. The microscale combustion calorimetry results indicate that the sample containing 22.5 wt% MPyP and 7.5 wt% CFA has the lowest heat release rate among all samples. The TGA results show that the thermal stability of the materials increases with the addition of MPyP, while decreases with the addition of CFA. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergistic effects of aluminum hypophosphite on intumescent flame retardant polypropylene system

The effects of aluminum hypophosphite(AHP) as a synergistic agent on the flame retardancy and thermal degradation behavior of intumescent flame retardant polypropylene composites(PP/IFR) containing ammonium polyphosphate(APP) and triazine charring-foaming agent(CFA) were investigated by limiting oxygen index(LOI), UL-94 measurement, thermogravimetric analysis(TGA), cone calorimeter test(CONE), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). It was found that the combination of IFR with AHP exhibited an evident synergistic effect and enhanced the flame retardant efficiency for PP matrix. The specimens with the thickness of 0.8 mm can pass UL-94 V-0 rating and the LOI value reaches 33.5% based on the total loading of flame retardant of 24 wt%, and the optimum mass fraction of AHP/IFR is 1:6. The TGA data revealed that AHP could change the degradation behavior of IFR and PP/IFR system, enhance the thermal stability of the IFR and PP/IFR systems at high temperatures and promote the char residue formation. The CONE results revealed that IFR/AHP blends can efficiently reduce the combustion parameters of PP, such as heat release rate(HRR), total heat release(THR), smoke production rate(SPR) and so on. The morphological structures of char residue demonstrated that AHP is of benefit to the formation of a more compact and homogeneous char layer on the materials surface during burning. The analysis of XPS indicates that AHP may promote the formation of sufficient char on the materials surface and improve the flame retardant properties.     

Simultaneous improvement in the flame retardancy and water resistance of PP/APP through coating UV-curable pentaerythritol triacrylate onto APP

To improve the flame-retardant efficiency and water resistance of ammonium polyphosphate(APP), the UV-curable pentaerythritol triacrylate(PETA) was used to microencapsulate APP via the UV curing polymerization method. The prepared PETA-microencapsulated APP(PETA-APP) was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and thermogravimetric(TG) analysis. PETA-APP was used as intumescent flame retardant(IFR) alone to flame retard polypropylene(PP). The water resistance of PP/PETA-APP composites was investigated, and the effect of PETA on the combustion behaviors of PP/APP composites was studied through limiting oxygen index(LOI), vertical burning test(UL-94) and cone calorimeter(CC) test, respectively. With 40 wt% of PETA-APP, the PP/PETA-APP system could achieve a LOI value of 30.0% and UL-94 V-0 rating after treatment in hot water for 168 h, while the LOI value of the system containing 40 wt% uncoated APP was only 19.2%, and it failed to pass the UL-94 rating. CC test results showed that the heat release rate(HRR), mass loss rate(MLR) and smoke production rate(SPR) of PP/PETAAPP system decreased significantly compared with PP/APP system, especially the peak of HRR was decreased by 51.4%. The mechanism for the improvement of flame reatardancy for PP/PETA-APP composites was discussed based on FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) tests. All these results illustrated that simultaneous improvement of flame retardancy and water resistance for PP/APP was achieved through coating UV-curable PETA onto APP.     

Fire retardancy of a reactively extruded intumescent flame retardant polyethylene system enhanced by metal chelates

A reactive extrusion technology was adopted to synthesize a flame retardant (ER), based on the esterification of melamine phosphate and pentaerythritol. The ER imparts good flame retardancy and non-dripping for polyethylene (PE) when combined with ammonium polyphosphate to yield an intumescent polyethylene (PE-IFR). The performance of this intumescent system has been enhanced by the addition of small amounts (0.2%) chelated copper(II)salicylaldehyde (CuSA) and salicylaldoxime, (CuSAO). The thermal stabilization and burning behaviour of the flame retardant PE system have been investigated by TGA, LOI, the UL-94 test and cone calorimetry. All formulations studied provide good flame retardant behaviour, with LOI ≥ 27.4 and UL-94 V-0 rating. The onset of decomposition in TGA for flame retarded PE (PE-IFR, PE-IFR-CuSA and PE-IFR-CuSAO) commences at lower temperature than that of PE with release of blowing agent, but continues to a higher temperature, leaving a greater residue. Significant differences have been observed in burning behaviour using cone calorimetry, between flame retarded PE (PE-IFR, PE-IFR-CuSA and PE-IFR-CuSAO) and PE, showing decreases in HRR, PHRR, MLR, FIGRA and CO emission.     

Effect of aluminum diethylphosphinate on flame retardant and thermal properties of rigid polyurethane foam composites

Rigid polyurethane foam/aluminum diethylphosphinate (RUPF/ADP) composites were prepared by one-step water-blown method. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermal conductivity meter, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index, Underwriters Laboratories vertical burning test (UL-94) and microsacle combustion calorimetry were applied to investigate thermal conductivity, thermal stability, flame retardancy and combustion behavior of RPUF/ADP composites. Thermogravimetric analysis–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–FTIR) was introduced to investigate gaseous products in degradation process of RPUF/ADP composites, while SEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to research char residue of the composites. It was confirmed that RPUF/ADP composites presented well cell structure with density of 53.1–59.0 kg m^?3 and thermal conductivity of 0.0425–0.0468 W m^?1 K^?1, indicating excellent insulation performance of the composites. Flame retardant test showed that ADP significantly enhanced flame retardancy of RPUF/ADP composites, RPUF/ADP30 passed UL-94 V-1 rating with LOI of 23.0 vol%. MCC test showed that ADP could significantly decrease peak of heat release rate (PHPR) of RPUF/ADP composites. PHPR value of RPUF/ADP20 was decreased to 158 W g^?1, which was 21.8% reduced compared with that of pure RPUF. TG–FTIR test revealed that the addition of ADP promoted the release of CO₂, hydrocarbons and isocyanate compound in first-step degradation of RPUF matrix while inhibited the release of CO in second step degradation. Char residue analysis showed that the addition of ADP promoted polyurethane molecular chain to form aromatic and aromatic heterocyclic structure, enhancing strength and compactness of the char. This work associated a gas–solid flame retardancy mechanism with the incorporation of ADP, which presented an effective strategy for preparation of flame retardant RPUF composites.

     

Synthesis of a novel ionic liquid containing phosphorus and its application in intumescent flame retardant polypropylene system

A novel ionic liquid containing phosphorus ([PCMIM]Cl) was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and ³¹P NMR. Moreover, a new intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system, which was composed of [PCMIM]Cl and ammonium polyphosphate (APP), was used to impart flame retardancy and dripping resistance to polypropylene (PP). The flammability and thermal behaviors of intumescent flame‐retarded PP (PP/IFR) composites were evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone calorimeter test. It was found that there was an obvious synergistic effect between [PCMIM]Cl and APP. When the weight ratio of [PCMIM]Cl and APP was 1:5 and the total amount of IFR was kept at 30 wt%, LOI value of PP/IFR composite reached 31.8, and V‐0 rating was obtained. Moreover, both the peak heat release rate and the peak mass loss rate of PP/IFR composites decreased significantly relative to PP and PP/APP composite from cone calorimeter analysis. The TGA curves suggested that [PCMIM]Cl had good ability of char formation, and when combined with APP, it could greatly promote the char formation of PP/IFR composites, hence improved the flame retardancy. Additionally, the rheological behaviors and mechanical properties of PP/IFR composites were also investigated, and it was found that [PCMIM]Cl could also serve as an efficient lubricant and compatibilizer between APP and PP, endowing the materials with satisfying processability and mechanical properties. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergistic effect of organophilic Fe-montmorillonite on flammability in polypropylene/intumescent flame retardant system

Polypropylene/intumescent flame retardant/organophilic Fe-montmorillonite (PP/IFR/Fe-OMT) nanocomposites were prepared by melting intercalation. In order to investigate the effect of structural Fe³⁺ in the PP/IFR system, the corresponding PP/IFR and PP/IFR/Na-OMT composites were prepared under the same conditions. The thermo-gravimetric analysis data show that the PP/IFR/Fe-OMT nanocomposites have higher thermal stability than the PP/IFR and PP/IFR/Na-OMT composites. The flame retardant results indicate that the limiting oxygen index values of the nanocomposites with Fe-OMT are basically higher than those of the pure PP and the composites containing IFR or Na-OMT/IFR. And the addition of a suitable amount of Fe-OMT in PP/IFR composites can apparently favor UL94 test, and no dripping phenomenon was found. The cone calorimeter test indicates that the heat release rate (HRR) is significantly reduced by the formation of the nanocomposites, and the HRR of the PP/IFR/Fe-OMT nanocomposites are decreased in comparison with those of the PP/IFR/Na-OMT nanocomposites. It is noteworthy that Fe-OMT is helpful to smoke suppression by smoke density test.     

Synergistic effect between a novel hyperbranched charring agent and ammonium polyphosphate on the flame retardant and anti-dripping properties of polylactide

A novel hyperbranched polyamine charring agent (HPCA), a derivative of triazines, was synthesized and well characterized by ¹H NMR and FTIR. HPCA and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) were added into polylactide (PLA) resin as an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system to impart flame retardancy and dripping resistance to PLA. The flammability and thermal stability of IFR-PLA composites were investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 vertical burning, cone calorimetry and thermogravometric analysis (TGA) tests. The results showed that the IFR system had both excellent flame retardant and anti-dripping abilities for PLA. The TGA curves suggested that HPCA has good ability of char formation and when combined with APP, would induce synergistic effect which could be clearly observed. This effect greatly promoted the char formation of IFR-PLA composites, hence improved the flame retardant property. Additionally, the structure and morphology of char residues were studied by XPS, FTIR and SEM.     

Combustion properties and thermal degradation behavior of polylactide with an effective intumescent flame retardant

An intumescent flame retardant spirocyclic pentaerythritol bisphosphorate disphosphoryl melamine (SPDPM) has been synthesized and its structure was characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry (FTIR), ¹H and ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonances (NMR). A series of polylactide (PLA)-based flame retardant composites containing SPDPM were prepared by melt blending method. The combustion properties of PLA/SPDPM composites were evaluated through UL-94, limiting oxygen index (LOI) tests and microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) experiments. It is found that SPDPM integrating acid, char and gas sources significantly improved the flame retardancy and anti-dripping performance of PLA. When 25 wt% flame retardant was added, the composites achieved UL-94 V0, and the LOI value was increased to 38. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the weight loss rate of PLA was decreased by introduction of SPDPM. In addition, the thermal degradation process and possible flame retardant mechanism of PLA composites with SPDPM were analyzed by in situ FTIR.     

Synergistic effects of lanthanum oxide on a novel intumescent flame retardant polypropylene system

The effects of lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃) as a synergistic agent on the flame retardancy of intumescent flame retardant polypropylene composites (IFR-PP) were studied, and the new IFR system mainly consisted of the charring-foaming agent (CFA) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cone calorimeter (CONE) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate the synergistic effects of La₂O₃. It was found that when IFR was fixed at 20 wt% in IFR-PP composites, only a little amount of La₂O₃ could enhance LOI value and pass the UL-94 V0 rating test (1.6 mm). The TGA data showed that La₂O₃ could enhance the thermal stability of the IFR-PP systems at high temperature and effectively increase the char residue formation. The CONE results revealed that La₂O₃ and IFR could clearly change the decomposition behavior of PP and form a char layer on the surface of the composites, consequently resulting in efficient reduction of the flammability parameters, such as heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), smoke production rate (SPR), total smoke production (TSP), ignition time (IT) and so on. The morphological structures observed by SEM demonstrated that La₂O₃ could promote to form the homogenous and compact intumescent char layer. Thus, a suitable amount of La₂O₃ plays a synergistic effect in the flame retardancy and smoke suppression of IFR composites.     

Intumescent flame retardation of polypropylene/bamboo fiber semi-biocomposites

Polypropylene/bamboo fiber (BFP) semi-biocomposites were prepared by melted blend method. Microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate was added to the BFP semi-biocomposites to improve the flame-retardant properties of the BFP semi-biocomposites. The flame-retardant properties of the BFP semi-biocomposites have been investigated by limited oxygen index, UL-94 test and cone calorimeter test. The results of cone calorimeter show that the peak of heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) of the flame-retardant BFP semi-biocomposites decrease substantially compared with that without MCAPP. The pHRR value of flame-retardant BFP semi-biocomposite decreases from 540.0 to 227.5 kW m^?2, and the THR value decreases from 75.3 to 49.2 MJ m^?2. The thermal degradation and gas products of the flame-retardant BFP semi-biocomposites were monitored by thermogravimetric analysis and thermogravimetric analysis-infrared spectrometry.     

Flame retardant properties and mechanism of an efficient intumescent flame retardant PLA composites

The charring agent (CNCA‐DA) containing triazine and benzene rings was combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to form intumescent flame retardant (IFR), and it was occupied to modify polylactide (PLA). The flame retardant properties and mechanism of flame retardant PLA composites were investigated by the limited oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), thermogravimetric analysis, microscale combustion calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, laser Raman spectroscopy analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The analysis from LOI and UL‐94 presented that the IFR was very effective in flame retardancy of PLA. When the weight ratio of APP to CNCA‐DA was 3:1, and the IFR loading was 30%, the IFR showed the best effect, and the LOI value reached 45.6%. It was found that when 20 wt% IFR was loaded, the flame retardancy of PLA/IFR still passed UL‐94 V‐0 rating, and its LOI value reached 32.8%. The microscale combustion calorimetry results showed that PLA/IFR had lower heat release rate, total heat release, and heat release capacity than other composites, and there was an obvious synergistic effect between APP and CNCA‐DA for PLA. IFR containing APP/CNCA‐DA had good thermal stability and char‐forming ability with the char residue 29.3% at 800°C under N₂ atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy observation further indicated that IFR could promote forming continuous and compact intumescent char layer. The laser Raman spectroscopy analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis results indicated that an appropriate graphitization degree of the residue char was formed, and more O and N were remained to form more cross‐linking structure. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flame retardant mechanism of an efficient flame-retardant polymeric synergist with ammonium polyphosphate for polypropylene

An efficient flame retardant polymeric synergist poly[N⁴-bis(ethylenediamino)-phenyl phosphonic-N², N⁶-bis(ethylenediamino)-1,3,5-triazine-N-phenyl phosphonate] (PTPA) was designed and synthesized from cyanuric chloride, ethylenediamine and phenylphosphonic dichloride. It was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), ¹H NMR and ³¹P NMR, Elemental Analysis (EA) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). Combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP), a new intumescent flame retardant (IFR) was obtained. The flammability behaviors of polypropylene (PP)/IFR system were investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL-94) and cone calorimetry. With 25 wt% of IFR (APP:PTPA = 2:1), the PP/IFR system could achieve a LOI value of 34.0% and UL-94 V-0 rating, and the heat release rate (HRR), peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR) and smoke production rate (SPR) were considerably reduced, especially HRR and SPR were decreased by 85% and 79%, respectively. The results indicate that there is an excellent synergism between APP and PTPA, which endows PP with both good flame retardancy and good smoke suppression. Furthermore, the thermal degradation mechanism of IFR and the flame-retardant mechanism of PP/IFR system were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), FT-IR, TG-FTIR and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The study on the flame-retardant mechanism of IFR indicated that a structure containing –CN was formed due to the reaction between APP and PTPA.     

Synergistic effect of boron containing substances on flame retardancy and thermal stability of intumescent polypropylene composites

The synergistic effect of four different boron containing substances, zinc borate (ZnB), borophosphate (BPO₄), boron silicon containing preceramic oligomer (BSi) and lanthanum borate (LaB), were studied to improve the flame retardancy of a polypropylene (PP) intumescent system composed of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and pentaerythritol (PER). The flame retardancy of PP composites was investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 standard, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone calorimeter tests. The addition of 20 wt% intumescent flame retardant (IFR) improves the flame retardancy by increasing the char formation. According to LOI and UL-94 test, boron compounds show their highest synergistic effect at 1 wt% loading. BPO₄ containing composite shows the highest LOI (30), lowest maximum heat release rate (HRR) and lowest total heat release rate (THR) value. Although the char yield increases as the amount of boron compounds increases, the flame retarding effect decreases. Cone calorimeter and TGA data indicate that the boron compounds are likely to show their synergistic effect by reinforcing the integrity of char which improves its barrier effect rather than increasing the char yield.     

Poly (diallyldimethylammonium) and polyphosphate polyelectrolyte complexes as an all‐in‐one flame retardant for polypropylene

Poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) deionized chloride ions and ammonium ions by ionizing in aqueous solution respectively, then combined to form poly (diallyldimethylammonium) and polyphosphate (PAPP) polyelectrolyte complexes as an all‐in‐one flame retardant for polypropylene and its composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. One flame retardant system composed of PAPP and PP, the other flame retardant system composed of PAPP, Polyamide‐6 (PA6) and PP were tested by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94, cone calorimeter tests and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and compared with pure PP. The results showed that the LOI value of PP/PAPP composite can reach 27.5%, and UL‐94 V‐2 rating can be reached at 25 wt% PAPP loading. Meanwhile the cone calorimetry results displayed that the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) were reduced up to 69.3% and 22.5%, respectively, compared with those of pure PP. After adding 5 wt% PA6, the carbon source missing due to the early PAPP decomposition can be made up, and PHRR and THR can be further reduced slightly. The flame retardant mechanism of PAPP was studied by FTIR spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Six‐membered ring of C─N containing conjugate double bonds, cross‐linked phosphate structure formed stable, intumescent, compact char layer which greatly improved the flame retardancy of PP.     

A novel phosphazene cyclomatrix network polymer: Design, synthesis and application in flame retardant polylactide

A novel phosphazene cyclomatrix network polymer poly(cyclotriphosphazene-co- pentaerythritol) (PCPP) was synthesized and characterized based on an attempt to look for a high efficient and green intumescent flame retardant. A series of flame retardant polylactide (FR-PLA) composites containing PCPP were prepared by melt blending method. Thermal degradation behavior and combustion properties of FR-PLA composites were evaluated through thermogravimetric analysis, UL-94 experiments, limiting oxygen index and cone calorimeter tests. It is found that the weight of residues for FR-PLA composites improved greatly with the addition of PCPP. Additionally, PCPP show a high flame retardant efficiency for PLA, UL-94 V-0 could be passed only containing 5 wt% PCPP. Fourier transform infrared spectra and scanning electronic microscopy investigations reveal that the residual chars are compact and foaming containing P-O-C structure, which restrains the development of fire and increases the flame retardant properties.     

Organically modified montmorillonite as a synergist for intumescent flame retardant against the flammable polypropylene

Low flame retardant efficiency is a key bottleneck for currently available retardants against the flammable polypropylene (PP). Herein, the organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) was utilized as a synergist for our previously reported intumescent flame retardant (IFR) that was constructed from ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and hyperbranched charring foaming agent (HCFA) to further enhance the retardant efficiency against PP. The resultant's combustion behavior was thoroughly investigated by cone calorimetry, limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that 20% addition of IFR with OMMT showed a positive effect and improved the flame retardancy of the PP systems. Especially, addition of 2 wt% OMMT obviously increased the LOI values of PP systems with 20% total loading flame retardants from 29% to 31.5% and the samples meet V‐0 rating as well as the reduction of the heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), CO₂, and CO production occurred. On the other hand, the SEM images were also revealed that OMMT initiated a dense and strong char on the surface of the material, which resulted in efficient flame retardancy of PP matrix during combustion. In addition, thermal degradation behavior discussed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that OMMT could improve the thermal stability of PP systems under high temperature, and promoted char residues of PP/IFR systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergistic Effect of Novel Synergists–Transition Metal Ion-incorporated Nickel Phosphates with Intumescent Flame Retardants in Polypropylene

The two kinds of transition metal ion-incorporated nickel phosphates (TMIVSB-1) were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The flame retardancy and thermal behavior of intumescent flame retardants (IFR), with and without TMIVSB-1 for PP, were investigated by LOI, UL-94 test, thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and cone calorimetry. TMIVSB-1 can obviously improve the flame retardant behavior of IFR systems according to the results of LOI values and UL-94 test. The results of LOI show that 2 wt% TMIVSB-1 can increase the LOI value by 3–5 unit compared with that of PP/IFR composite. The UL-94 test shows that PP with 20% IFR burns and has no rating, but the addition of a small content 2 wt% of TMIVSB-1 with 18 wt% of IFR can reach a UL-94 V-0 rating. TGA results show that the thermal stability of PP/IFR/TMIVSB-1 increases obviously more than that of PP/IFR when the temperature is above 265°C. From cone calorimetry results, it can be observed that the HRR peaks are not obviously decreased, but the burning time of PP/IFR/FeVSB-1 (351s) and PP/IFR/ZnVSB-1 (380s) is obviously prolonged compared with that of PP/IFR (303s). The real time FTIR spectra (RTFTIR) demonstrates that the addition of TMIVSB-1 further staves the decomposition of the PP composites. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicates the quality of char forming of PP/IFR/ TMIVSB-1 is superior to that of PP/IFR.