Synergism of polysiloxane and zinc borate flame retardant polycarbonate

Liquid polysiloxane (PSI) and zinc borate (ZB) were combined for the flame retardance of polycarbonate (PC). During polymer combustion, for the PC flame-retarded with PSI only, PSI can form char residue containing silica on the material surface. But the liquid silicone tends to drip with melting polymer and volatilize in high temperature, thus decreasing the charring performance. In the case of only ZB flame retardant involved, this inorganic flame retardant and possible some of its decomposition products (B₂O₃) more difficultly move to the surface and it appears that they do not effectively contribute to the char formation. Present study suggests that the existing synergism between PSI and ZB is the result of chemical reaction via forming cross-linking B–O–Si structure. As results, the loss of Si/silicone is reduced by eliminating the melt dripping. Meanwhile, boron species can be “dragged” by PSI (in the form of borosiloxane) to the surface of the char residue. Consequently, Si and B elements together contribute to the integrity of char residue layer with better quality, achieving obviously improved flame retardance compared with only PSI and only ZB flame retardant systems.