Effects of melamine polyphosphate and halloysite nanotubes on the flammability and thermal behavior of polyamide 6

Melamine polyphosphate (MPP) and halloysite nanotubes (HNT) were introduced to polyamide 6 (PA6) by melt blending in order to improve the fire resistance. PA6 composite containing 12% flame retardants with good spinnability was obtained. The flammability of PA6 composite was characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 vertical burning and cone calorimeter (CONE) tests. The results indicated that the LOI value could reach 24.0 vol.% and UL‐94 rating could achieve V2 level at the presence of 12% flame retardants. CONE data demonstrated that peak heat release rate was significantly reduced from 554 kW/m² of neat PA6 to 368 kW/m² of the sample containing flame retardants. Thermal analysis indicated that the thermal stability and char formation were improved by the presence of flame retardants. The morphology of residue char was characterized by scanning electron microscopy; and it suggested that a network‐structured protective char layer had been formed. The possible synergism between MPP/HNT and their flame retardant mechanism was also analyzed and discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Organo‐Modified Nanosepiolite on Fire Behaviors and Mechanical Performance of Polypropylene Composites

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of the organo‐modified nanosepiolite (ONSep) on improving the fire safety of polypropylene (PP). The composites based on PP, flame retardant master batch (MB‐FR, 25 wt% PP+50 wt% decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDPE)+25% antimony trioxide (ATO)) and ONSep were prepared via melt blending. The results of the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and vertical burning rating (UL‐94) test indicated that PP/40 wt% MB composites had no rating with seriously dripping phenomenon, while the LOI value was only 22.5. However, as 4 wt% ONSep was added in PP/40 wt% MB composites, the composites achieved UL94 V‐0 rating and the LOI value was 24.3. In comparison, PP/50 wt% MB composites could not reach the V‐0 rating either. The TGA results revealed that the addition of ONSep enhanced the thermal stability of the PP/MB‐FR composites. The cone calorimeter results indicated that the heat release rate, average mass loss rate, smoke production rate and smoke temperature of the PP/40 wt% MB‐FR/4 wt% ONSep composites decreased in comparison with those of PP/40 wt% MB‐FR composites. Simultaneously, the Young modulus and impact strength were also much better improved with the increase of ONSep loading. Therefore, the synergistic flame retardancy of ONSep in PP/MB‐FR matrix significantly containing a halogen based flame retardant (DBDPE) significantly improved the fire safety and mechanical properties of the composites, and allowed to decrease the total amount of brominated fire retardants.     

Enhancement of a hyperbranched charring and foaming agent on flame retardancy of polyamide 6

A hyperbranched polyamine was prepared using an A₂ + B₃ approach. It acted as a hyperbranched charring and foaming agent (HCFA) in combination with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to form a new intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system for polyamide 6 (PA6). Effect of HCFA on flame retardant and thermal degradation properties of IFR‐PA6 was investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 vertical burning, cone calorimeter, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests. The IFR system presented the most effective flame retardancy in PA6 when the weight ratio of APP to HCFA was 2:1. The LOI value of IFR‐PA6 could reach 36.5 with V‐0 rating when the IFR loading was 30 wt%. Even if the loading decreased to 25 wt%, IFR‐PA6 could still maintain V‐0 rating with an LOI value of 31. TGA curves indicated that APP would interact with both PA6 and HCFA in PA6/APP/HCFA composite under heating. The interaction between APP and HCFA improved the char formation ability of IFR system and then much more char was formed for PA6/APP/HCFA composite than for PA6/APP. Therefore, better flame retardancy was achieved. Moreover, the structure and morphology of char residue were studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that compact and foaming char layer containing P‐O‐C structure was formed for PA6/APP/HCFA system during combustion. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of anion of polyoxometalate based organic–inorganic hybrid material on intumescent flame retardant polypropylene

In this work, 12‐tungestocobaltic acid based organic–inorganic hybrid material, [Bmim]₆CoW₁₂O₄₀ (CoW) was synthesized and applied as a synergist in polypropylene (PP)/intumescent flame retardant (IFR) composites. The flame retardant properties were investigated by the limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 vertical burning test, thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), cone calorimeter and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) etc. The results showed that the PP composites with 16 wt% IFR and 1 wt% CoW achieves the UL‐94 V‐0 rating and gets a LOI value 28.0. However, only add no less than 25 wt% single IFR, can the PP composites obtain the UL‐94 V‐0 rating, which suggests that CoW has good synergistic effects on flame retardancy of PP/IFR composites. In addition, the SEM and cone calorimeter tests indicated the CoW improves the quality of char layer. The rate of char formation has been enhanced also because of the existence of CoW. It is the combination of a better char quality and a high rate of char formation promoted by CoW that results in the excellent flame retardancy of PP/IFR composites. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergistic improvement of fire retardancy and mechanical properties of ferrocene‐based polymer in intumescent polypropylene composite

The ferrocene‐based polymer (PDPFDE) accompanied with traditional intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system (ammonium polyphosphate (APP)/pentaerythritol (PER) = 3/1, mass ratio) has been used as additive flame retardant in polypropylene (PP), aiming to lower the total loading amount. The thermal stability and fire retardant properties were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical combustion (UL‐94), and cone calorimetry (CONE). The fire retardant mechanism was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the PP1 with 25 wt% IFR only passed the UL‐94 V‐1 rating, but the PP6 loaded by 0.5 wt% PDPFDE and 22.5 wt% IFR possessed an LOI value of 28.5% and passed the UL‐94 V‐0 rating; the peak heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) are decreased by 63% and 43%, respectively, compared with pure PP. In addition, the char residue of PP6 manifested a very compact and smooth surface, indicating a more effective barrier layer. Meanwhile, it was interesting that the addition of PDPFDE evidently improved the impact strength and elongation at break of PP/IFR composites.     

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

The functions of nanoclay and three different boron containing substances, zinc borate (ZnB), borophosphate (BPO₄), and boron silicon containing preceramic oligomer (BSi), were studied to improve the flame retardancy of polypropylene (PP)‐nanoclay‐intumescent system composed of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and pentaerythritol (PER). The flame retardancy of PP composites was investigated using limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 standard, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and cone calorimeter. According to the results obtained, the addition of 20 wt% intumescent flame retardant (IFR) improved the flame retardancy by increasing the char formation. Addition of clay slightly increases the LOI value and reduces the maximum heat release rate (HRR). Addition of clay also increases the barrier effect due to intumescent char, especially in thin samples. Boron compounds show their highest synergistic effect at about 3 wt% loading. According to UL‐94 test and LOI test, 3 wt% ZnB containing composite shows the highest rating (V0) and BPO₄ containing sample shows the highest LOI value (26.5). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fire retardant synergism between melamine and triphenyl phosphate in poly(butylene terephthalate)

The fire retardant efficiency of melamine (MA) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) in poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) was studied by the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and the UL94 test. On adding 10 wt. % MA and 20 wt. % TPP, LOI increased from 20.9 to 26.6 and the UL94 V-0 rating was achieved. SEM and DSC analyses show that the fire retardants are compatible with PBT and facilitate crystallization of PBT. The occurrence of an interaction between MA + TPP and PBT was elucidated by TGA, dynamic FTIR, and pyrolysis/GC/MS. MA + TPP changes the degradation path of PBT and modifies the compositions of the gas and condensed-phase products.     

Effect of boron containing materials on flammability and thermal degradation of polyamide‐6 composites containing melamine cyanurate

Three different boron containing materials, zinc borate (ZnB), borophosphate (BPO₄), and boron and silicon containing oligomer (BSi), were used to improve the flame retardancy of melamine cyanurate (MC) in a polyamide‐6 (PA‐6) matrix. The combustion and thermal degradation characteristics were investigated using limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 standard, thermogravimetric analysis‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA‐FTIR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All the three boron compounds showed no synergistic effect with MC, and only BPO₄ at high loadings showed comparable LOI values by increasing the dripping rate. For ZnB and BSi glassy film and char formation decreases the dripping rate and sublimation of melamine and give rise to low LOI. According to TGA‐FTIR results, addition of boron compounds does not alter the gaseous product distribution of both MC and PA‐6. The addition of boron compounds affects flame retardancy through physical means. It was noted from the TGA data that boron compounds reduced the decomposition temperature of both MC and PA‐6, also affecting the flame retardancy negatively by premature degradation of MC at low temperatures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of flame‐retardant polyamide 6 by incorporating MgO combined with g‐C3N4

Flame‐retardant polyamide 6 (PA6) was prepared by an inorganic‐organic composite (MCN or MgO/g‐C₃N₄) synthesized by incorporating magnesium oxide (MgO) combined with graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄). As compared to g‐C₃N₄, MCN possessed a laminate structure, more holes, and a larger specific surface area. The addition of MCN could effectively improve the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of PA6 due to its better compatibility and dispersion in the PA6 matrix. When the addition of MCN was 20 wt%, the vertical combustion performance of the PA6/MCN sample reached flammability rating V‐0 (UL‐94) and the limiting oxygen index (LOI) was up to 32.1%. The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the introduction of MCN efficiently enhanced thermal stability of PA6. The morphologies of the char residue observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) verified that MCN promoted the formation of sufficient, compact, and homogeneous char layers on the composite's surface during burning. Thus led to increase the char layer strength and improve the flame retardancy of PA6. The thermogravimetric analysis/infrared (TG‐IR) revealed the gas‐phase retardancy mechanism of MCN. Compared with PA6/g‐C₃N₄, PA6/MCN showed better mechanical properties in terms of flexural strength and tensile strength.     

Synergistic effect of cocondensed nanosilica in intumescent flame‐retardant polypropylene

Amino‐functionalized nanosilica (SiO₂‐NH₂) was prepared through cocondensation method using aminopropyltriethoxysilane as comonomer to hydrolyze and cocondense with tetraethylorthosilicate. The synergistic effect of combination of ammonium polyphosphate and pentaerythritol with SiO₂‐NH₂ on the thermal and flame‐retardant properties of intumescent flame‐retardant (IFR) polypropylene (PP) has been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectra, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), limiting oxygen index (LOI), and UL 94 tests. When 1.0 wt.% SiO₂‐NH₂ was added, the LOI value of the PP/IFR composite with 25 wt.% of IFR increased from 26.6% to 31.7%, while the UL 94 rating raised from not classified to V‐0. The TGA data demonstrated that the SiO₂‐NH₂ nanoparticles increased the charred residue of the PP/IFR composites. The morphological structures and the orderliness of the charred residue proved that SiO₂‐NH₂ promoted the formation of compact intumescent charred layer, which effectively protected the underlying polymer from burning. The XRD patterns of the charred residue indicated that nanosilica reacted with APP to form SiP₂O₇ crystal structure during combustion, which was beneficial to the formation of compact charred layers. In comparison with the inorganic SiO₂‐cal nanoparticles, the amino‐functionalized nanosilica revealed much more efficient synergistic flame‐retardant effect due to the difference of surface properties.     

Flame‐retardant behavior of bi‐group molecule derived from phosphaphenanthrene and triazine groups on polylactic acid

The flame‐retardant polylactic acid (PLA) has been prepared via mixing the flame retardant TGIC‐DOPO derived from phosphaphenanthrene and triazine groups into matrix. The flame retardancy of TGIC‐DOPO/PLA composites was characterized using the limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL94), and cone calorimeter test. Results reveal that the 10%TGIC‐DOPO/PLA composite obtained 26.1% of LOI and passed UL94 V‐0 rating. The flame‐retardant mechanism of PLA composites was characterized via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, and TGA‐Fourier transform infrared. It discloses that TGIC‐DOPO promoted PLA decomposing and dripping early, and it also released the fragments with quenching and dilution effects. These actions of TGIC‐DOPO contribute to reducing the burning intensity and extinguishing the fire on droplets, thus imposing better flame retardancy to PLA. When TGIC‐DOPO was partly replaced by melamine cyanuric with dilution effect and hexa‐phenoxy‐cyclotriphosphazene with quenching effect in composites respectively, the results confirm that TGIC‐DOPO utilize well‐combination in dilution effect and quenching effect to flame retard PLA. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of a novel phosphorus‐containing organosilicon and its effect on the flame retardant and smoke suppression of polyethylene terephthalate

A novel phosphorus‐containing silicone flame retardant (PDPSI) was prepared by Mannish reaction, and a series of PDPSI/PET composites were prepared by melt blending method. The nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR), and the thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) results indicated that PDPSI showed network structure and owned good thermal stability, with the char residue of 62.2% at 800°C. The flame retardancy of PDPSI/PET composites was characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning tests (UL‐94), and cone calorimeter (CCT). The results revealed that the addition amount of PDPSI was 5%, the LOI value of PDPSI/PET composites increased to 27.3%, and UL‐94 test passed V‐0 rating. When the PDPSI loading was 3%, PET composites showed excellent flame retardancy and smoke suppression, with a decrease in the peak heat release rate (PHRR) by 71.19% and the total smoke release (TSP) reduced from 14.4 to 11.1m². The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR results of char residue demonstrated that the flame‐retardant mechanism of PDPSI was solid phase flame retardant. PDPSI catalyzed the aromatization reaction of PET to promote the formation of a dense and continuous carbon layer, finally improving the flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties of PET.     

Thermal stability and flame retardancy of PET/magnesium salt composites

Nano-Mg(OH)₂ (nanometre magnesium hydroxide, nano-MH) was successfully introduced into the esterification and polycondensation system by in situ polymerization to obtain PET/magnesium salt composites (PETMS). The thermal properties and flame retardancy of PETMS were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UL-94 vertical burning and limited oxygen index (LOI) test. The DSC and TGA results show that magnesium salts in the PET matrix have little effect on the thermal properties of PET, but a significant effect on the thermal stabilities of the composites. The results of LOI and UL-94 test show PETMS have higher LOI values (≥25%) and V-0 rating without melt dripping in the UL-94 test, indicating that PETMS have good flame retardancy and anti-dripping property. Moreover, the residues of magnesium salts and composites after TGA test were also studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to better understand the mechanism of flame retardancy, which reveals that magnesium salts accelerate the degradation of PET and catalyze the formation of char. The SEM results show the morphological structures of the char effectively protect the composites’ internal structures and inhibit the heat, smoke transmission and reduce the fuel gases when the fire contacts them.     

Synergistic effects of β‐cyclodextrin containing silicone oligomer on intumescent flame retardant polypropylene system

The effects of β‐cyclodextrin containing silicone oligomer(CDS), as a synergistic agent, on the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of intumescent flame retardant polypropylene composites were studied by adding different amounts of CDS in intumescent flame retardants. The limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to evaluate the synergistic effects of CDS in the composites. It was found that after a little amount of CDS partially replaced a charring‐foaming agent (CFA) in IFR, LOI values of the composites were enhanced and they obtained a UL‐94 V‐0 rating. IFR system containing 6.25wt% CDS presented the best flame retardancy in PP. The experimental results obtained from LOI and UL‐94, TGA, SEM, and mechanical properties indicated that the combination of CDS and CFA presents synergistic effects in flame retardancy, char formation, and mechanical properties of the composites. This is probably due to different structures of polyhydroxyl macromolecules (CDS and CFA), the existence of dimethyl silicone group in CDS, and the toughness of epoxy silicon chain in CDS. SEM results proved that the interfacial compatibility between IFR and PP was improved by CDS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improving the flame retardancy of polyamide 6 by incorporating hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene modified MWNT

A nitrogen‐, phosphorus‐ and chlorine‐containing flame retardant, hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCTP), has been covalently grafted onto the surface of multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) to obtain MWNT‐HCTP. Polyamide 6 (PA6)/MWNT composites were then prepared via melt compounding. The flammability of PA6/MWNT composite was characterized by cone calorimetry, limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL‐94 tests. The results showed that peak heat release rate of samples containing 3 wt% MWNT‐HCTP was only 460 kW/m², which decreased by 35.2% compared with that of a neat PA6 sample. The LOI value was increased from 22.7% to 26.5%, and UL‐94 test performance was also significantly improved by the presence of MWNT‐HCTP. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope analysis showed that modified MWNT had a better dispersion and compatibility in PA6 than unmodified MWNT. The composition of residue chars and volatile products was investigated by SEM/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric‐FTIR, respectively. It was proposed that grafted HCTP was mainly functioned in the condensed phase, where P, N can synergistically promote char formation and Cl element can catch free radicals to terminate the chain reaction during combustion of the PA6 composite. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flame retardancy and smoke suppression of silicone foams with microcapsulated aluminum hypophosphite and zinc borate

The flame‐retardant microcapsules were successfully fabricated with an aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) core. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to verify that AHP was encapsulated in the microcapsules, and thermogravimetry analysis showed that microencapsulated AHP (MAHP) possessed higher thermal stability than that of AHP. Then, a flame‐retardant and smoke suppression system for silicone foams (SiFs) was obtained through a synergistic effect of MAHP and zinc borate (2ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O). The mechanical properties, flame retardance, and smoke suppression of SiFs with MAHP and zinc borate were tested using the tensile test, limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, UL‐94 test, and cone calorimeter test. The mechanical properties indicated that the tensile strength and elongation at break of SiFs could evidently improve with the incorporation of MAHP. Compared with pure SiF, SiF8 with 4.5‐wt% MAHP and 1.5‐wt% zinc borate could achieve an LOI value of 30.7 vol% and an UL‐94 V‐0 rating, the time to ignition amplified almost six times, the peak heat release rate and total heat release were 51.10% and 46.00% less than that of pure SiF, respectively, the fire performance index increased nearly 13 times, and the fire growth index value was only 13.18% of pure SiF. Moreover, the partial substitution of zinc borate imparted a substantial improvement in both flame retardancy and smoke suppression. Especially, the peak smoke production rate and total smoke production of SiF8 were merely 38.46% and 38.84% of pure SiF.     

Synergistic effects of 4A zeolite on the flame retardant properties and thermal stability of a novel halogen‐free PP/IFR composite

The synergistic effects of 4A zeolite (4A) on the thermal degradation, flame retardancy and char formation of a novel halogen‐free intumescent flame retardant polypropylene composites (PP/IFR) were investigated by the means of limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), digital photos, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cone calorimeter test (CCT), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that a small amount of 4A could dramatically enhance the LOI value of the PP/IFR systems and the materials could pass the UL‐94 V‐0 rating test. Also, it could enhance the fire retardant performance with a great reduction in combustion parameters of PP/IFR system from CCT test. The morphological structures observed by digital and SEM photos revealed that 4A could promote PP/IFR to form more continuous and compact intumescent char layer. The LRS measurement, XPS and TGA analysis demonstrated that the compactness and strength of the outer char surface of the PP/IFR/4A system was enhanced, and more graphite structure was formed to remain more char residue and increase the crosslinking degree. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The synergistic flame‐retardant effect of O‐MMT on the intumescent flame‐retardant PP/CA/APP systems

The flame retardancy of a novel intumescent flame‐retardant polypropylene (IFR‐PP) system, which was composed of a charring agent (CA), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and polypropylene (PP), could be enhanced significantly by adding a small amount (1.0 wt%) of an organic montmorillonite (O‐MMT). The synergistic flame‐retardant effect was studied systematically. The thermal stability and combustion behavior of the flame‐retarded PP were also investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and cone calorimeter test (CCT). TGA results demonstrated that the onset decomposition temperatures of IFR‐PP samples, with or without O‐MMT, were higher than that of neat PP. Compared with IFR‐PP, the LOI value of IFR‐PP containing 1.0 wt% O‐MMT was increased from 30.8 to 33.0, and the UL‐94 rating was also enhanced to V‐0 from V‐1 when the total loading of flame retardant was the same. The cone calorimeter results showed that the IFR‐PP with 1.0 wt% of O‐MMT had the lowest heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), total smoke production (TSP), CO production (COP), CO₂ production (CO₂P), and mass loss (ML) of all the studied IFR‐PP samples, with or without O‐MMT. All these results indicated that O‐MMT had a significantly synergistic effect on the flame‐retardancy of IFR‐PP at a low content of O‐MMT. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flame‐retardancy and anti‐dripping effects of intumescent flame retardant incorporating montmorillonite on poly(lactic acid)

In the present study, the effects of intumescent flame retardant (IFR) incorporating organically modified montmorillonite (O‐MMT) on the flame retardancy and melt stability of PLA were investigated. The flame‐retardant PLA was prepared using a twin‐screw extruder and a two roll mill. Then, the influence of IFR and MMT on flame retardancy and melt stability was thoroughly investigated by means of limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electronic microscopy, melt flow index (MFI), and parallel plate rheological experiments. The experimental results show that the IFR system in combination with MMT has excellent fire retardancy, i.e. the sample could achieve a UL94 V‐0 rating and LOI value increases from 20.1 for pristine PLA to 27.5 for the flame‐retarded PLA. MFI and rheological measurement indicate that O‐MMT significantly enhances the melt stability and suppresses the melt dripping. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate with epoxy resin shell: preparation,characterization, and application in EP system

Microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate with an epoxy resin (EP) shell (MCAPP) was prepared by in situ method, and was characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermgravimetric analysis (TGA). Compared to ammonium polyphosphate (APP), MCAPP has smaller particle sizes and lower water solubility. The effect of MCAPP on the fire performance of EP was studied by using limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL‐94 tests. When the same loading levels of APP or MCAPP were added into EP, the LOI and UL‐94 tests show similar results. Tensile, bending, and impact strengths of the EP/APP and EP/MCAPP composites were also evaluated, and the results indicate that MCAPP has much less negative influence on the mechanical properties than APP. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.