Effect of polyphenylsilsesquioxane on the ablative and flame-retardation properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composite

Polyphenylsilsesquioxane (PPSQ) microspheres with ladder structure synthesized in the laboratory have been incorporated into ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composite in order to study the effect of PPSQ on the ablative and flame-retardation properties of EPDM composites. The results showed that PPSQ microspheres serve as an effective ablative additive and flame retardant for EPDM composites. Thus, PPSQ greatly improved the ablative properties of EPDM composites, with a 4.8 wt% loading leading to a remarkable reduction in the linear ablation rate of EPDM by about 50%. Moreover, this loading of PPSQ improved the flame retardancy and smoke suppression, and significantly reduced the PHRR of EPDM composite from 504 kW/m² to 278 kW/m². Moderate tensile strength could be obtained and the breaking elongation was improved for the EPDM/PPSQ composites. TGA results showed that PPSQ had little influence on the thermal decomposition of EPDM. SEM, CONE, and TG-FTIR tests showed that the char structure of EPDM composites was the primary factor through which PPSQ affected the ablative and flame-retardation properties of EPDM. The chars formed during the ablation of EPDM composites containing PPSQ had better structural stability and thermal stability, owing to the fact that they were denser, remained intact, and had an ordered arrangement of holes.