Catalytic fire retardant nanocomposites

In this paper the chemical activity of carbon nanotubes and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane during thermal degradation and combustion of polymer nanocomposites is addressed. Indeed, polymer-nanofiller systems may exhibit chemical effects capable of thermal stabilisation of polymers as well as reduction of combustion rate and heat released, owing to catalytic effects induced by the nanofillers at high temperature.Carbon nanotubes in the presence of oxygen are shown to promote oxidative dehydrogenation in polyethylene with production of a stable surface layer of carbon char that provides an effective oxygen barrier effect. A similar action is performed by metal-containing polysilsesquioxanes dispersed in polypropylene.With either carbon nanotubes or metal POSS, partial carbonisation of the polymer matrix occurs during combustion, subtracting part of the organic polymer from combustion, targeting one of the major fire retardancy aim.     

Thermal and flame retardant properties of novel intumescent flame retardant polypropylene composites

Novel intumescent flame retardant polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared based on a char forming agent (CFA) and silica-gel microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (Si-MCAPP). The thermal and flame retardancy of flame retardant PP composites were investigated by limiting oxygen index, UL-94 test, cone calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron micrograph, and water resistance test. The results of cone calorimetry show that the flame retardant properties of PP with 30 wt% novel intumescent flame retardants (CFA/Si-MCAPP = 1:3) improve greatly. The peak heat release rate and total heat release decrease, respectively, from 1,140.0 to 156.8 kW m^?2 and from 96.0 to 29.5 MJ m^?2. The PP composite with CFA/Si-MCAPP = 1:3 has the excellent water resistance, and it can still obtain a UL-94 V-0 rating after 168 h soaking in water.     

Flame retardant composite materials

Flame retardant additives offer a potential short-term solution for reducing the combustibility of composites, and hence the reduction of the associated hazards. A brief review of fire modelling was performed to identify suitable mathematical expressions with which the results of the experimental flame retardant investigation were analysed. These were then used in a limited trial to compare the experimental and calculated ignition parameters. The comparison of simple mathematical equations with fire test results indicated that their ability to reasonably reproduce the experimental ignition parameters of the flame retardant treated composites is dependent on the mechanism of flame retardant activity, particularly the stage of combustion at which it is designed to be active. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Flame retardant chemical mechanisms of flame retardant viscose fibres and blends with polyester

A systematic investigation of structurally identical flame retardant viscose, modal and polyester blended fabrics and fibres was carried out in order to develop a chemical basis for more effective products based on organic and inorganic flame retardants. The oxygen indices and chemical compositions of phosphorus-nitrogen flame retardants (P-N) were used in efficiency and synergy evaluations. A new flame retardant viscose fibre containing silicid acid was included in the comparative evaluation procedure. Thermal gravimetry and X-ray diffractometry were used for determine physical factors during pyrolyzing of fibres. Charred residues were analyzed by applying elementary and solid 13-C NMR (CPMAS) spectrometry. The pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatographer connected with a gas phase FT infrared spectrometer was applied to identify the decomposition products of P-N-containing fabrics.     

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.     

New fire retardant halogenfree polymers

Todays fire retardant plastics for high strength FRP (fibre-reinforced polymers) or electronic devices (printed circuit boards, PCB) are based on brominated epoxy resins (EP resins). The smoke gases of this resins are highly toxic and corrosive. A new class of fire retardant duroplastics, based on dihydrobenzoxazines, doesn't contain halogen, sulfur or phosphor. Processibility is equal to that of thermosetting epoxy resins. Mechanical and electrical properties are equal to brominated epoxy resin, heat resistance is considerably enhanced (glass temperature 180 - 280 °C), while density, toxicity and corrosivity of smoke are very low.     

Flammability characteristics and flame retardant mechanism of phosphate-intercalated hydrotalcite in halogen-free flame retardant EVA blends

The flammability characteristics and flame retardant mechanism of phosphate-intercalated hydrotalcite (MgAl-PO₄) in the halogen-free flame retardant ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, cone calorimeter test (CCT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL-94 tests. The results show that the hydrotalcite MgAl-PO₄ intercalated by phosphate possesses the enhanced thermal stability and flame retardant properties compared with ordinary carbonate-intercalated hydrotalcite MgAl-CO₃ in the EVA blends. The CCT tests indicate that the heat release rate (HRR) and mass loss rate (MLR) values of the EVA/MgAl-PO₄ samples are much lower than those of the EVA/MgAl-CO₃ samples. The TGA data show that the thermal degradation rates of MgAl-PO₄ and EVA/MgAl-PO₄ samples are much slower and leave more charred residues than those of MgAl-CO₃ and its corresponding EVA blends. The LOI values of EVA/MgAl-PO₄ samples are 2% higher than those of the corresponding EVA/MgAl-CO₃ samples at the range of 40–60 wt% loadings, while the EVA sample with 55 wt% MgAl-PO₄ can reach the UL-94 V-1 rating. The dynamic FTIR spectra reveal that the flame retardant mechanism of MgAl-PO₄ can be ascribed to its catalysis degradation of the EVA resin, which promotes the formation of charred layers with the P–O–P and P–O–C complexes in the condensed phase. The SEM observations give further evidence of this mechanism that the compact charred layers formed from the EVA/MgAl-PO₄ sample effectively protect the underlying polymer from burning.     

The formation of antimony oxychloride in flame retardant mixtures and its influence on flame retardant efficiency

Interaction of Sb₂O₃ with HCl vapour and chlorine-containing organic flame retardants in the presence and absence of polymers (polypropylene, polyethylene) has been studied at 473–773 K. It has been shown that SbOCl is formed in thermally degrading mixtures in the condensed phase. The influence of SbOCl formation on flame retardant efficiency is discussed.     

Fire retardant action of mineral fillers

Endothermically decomposing mineral fillers, such as aluminium or magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, or mixed magnesium/calcium carbonates and hydroxides, such as naturally occurring mixtures of huntite and hydromagnesite are in heavy demand as sustainable, environmentally benign fire retardants. They are more difficult to deploy than the halogenated flame retardants they are replacing, as their modes of action are more complex, and are not equally effective in different polymers. In addition to their presence (at levels up to 70%), reducing the flammable content of the material, they have three quantifiable fire retardant effects: heat absorption through endothermic decomposition; increased heat capacity of the polymer residue; increased heat capacity of the gas phase through the presence of water or carbon dioxide. These three contributions have been quantified for eight of the most common fire retardant mineral fillers, and the effects on standard fire tests such as the LOI, UL 94 and cone calorimeter discussed. By quantifying these estimable contributions, more subtle effects, which they might otherwise mask, may be identified.     

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.     

Flame‐retardant rigid polyurethane foam with a phosphorus‐nitrogen single intumescent flame retardant

A phosphorous‐nitrogen intumescent flame‐retardant, 2,2‐diethyl‐1,3‐propanediol phosphoryl melamine (DPPM), was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Flame‐retardant rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) with DPPM (DPPM‐RPUF) as fire‐retardant additive were prepared. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and mechanical performance testing showed that DPPM exhibited a favorable compatibility with RPUF and negligibly negative influence on the mechanical properties of RPUF. The flame retardancy of DPPM on RPUF was investigated by the limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test and cone calorimeter. The LOI of DPPM‐RPUF could reach 29.5%, and a UL‐94 V‐0 rating was achieved, when the content of DPPM was 25 php. Furthermore, the DPPM‐RPUF exhibited an outstanding water resistance that it could still obtain a V‐0 rating after water soaking. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the residual weight of RPUF was relatively low, while the charring ability of DPPM‐RPUF was improved greatly. Real‐time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to study the thermo‐oxidative degradation reactions of DPPM‐RPUF. The results revealed that the flame‐retardancy mechanism of DPPM in RPUF was based on the surface charred layer acting as a physical barrier, which slowed down the decomposition of RPUF and prevented the heat and mass transfer between the gas and the condensed phases.     

Halogen-free flame retardant PUF: Effect of melamine compounds on mechanical, thermal and flame retardant properties

Water blown rigid polyurethane foam (PUF) was prepared with melamine polyphosphate (MPP) and melamine cyanurate (MC) as fire retardant (FR) additives. The effect of these additives on the properties of rigid PUF such as physico-mechanical, morphological, thermo-oxidative stability, flame retardancy and smoke density properties were studied. The mechanical and thermo-oxidative stability of PUF filled with MC was found to be better than those of MPP filled PUF. The insulation property of both MPP and MC filled PUF was improved with respect to the neat PUF. The FR properties of these filled PUF were evaluated by cone calorimeter, limiting oxygen index (LOI), smoke density, rate of burning and char residue estimation. The FR property of MPP filled PUF was better than that of the MC filled PUF.     

Macromolecular coupling agents for flame retardant materials

Polypropylene (PP) is a large-consumed polymer employed in many applications. For some uses, good flame resistance is desirable and this can be achieved by the addition of metallic hydroxides. However, high loads of metallic hydroxides are needed causing marked deterioration of the physical properties. Addition of interfacial agents is a useful way of minimizing these effects. In this study, PP was modified with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) and maleic anhydride (MA) and the products were used as coupling agents for PP/aluminum hydroxide (ATH) composites. The composites were characterized by TGA, SEM, tensile and flammability tests. It was observed that both coupling agents were efficient but PP modified with VTES showed better effect on the mechanical properties. Two types of ATH were used for comparison.     

Diglycidylphenylphosphate based fire retardant liquid crystalline thermosets

Organophosphorus liquid crystalline thermosets (LCTs) were developed using diglycidylphenylphosphate (DGPP) and various aromatic diamines. DGPP was prepared by the esterification of phenylphosphorodichloridate with glycidol. 2,5-Bis(p-aminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (BPOD) was synthesized and three different commercial diamines, 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulphone (DDS), 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM) and biphenyl diamine (BPD) were used as curing agents. The mesomorphic behaviour of DGPP/diamine mixtures and their curing kinetics were monitored by differential scanning calorimetry and hot stage optical polarized microscopy. The thermogravimetric analysis data showed that the LCTs are stable in the range 261-292 °C and afford 36-48% char yield. The limiting oxygen index values are between 35 and 47 proving fire retardance. The mechanical properties of the cured LCTs were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis.     

阻燃剂FR-421的研制

研究开发阻燃性能优越、与合成材料相容性好、低毒无烟、耐久的阻燃剂是当务之急。磷酸酯齐聚物是近十几年来出现的一种高分子聚合物阻燃剂 ,与小分子阻燃剂相比 ,具有分子量高、蒸汽压低、迁移性小、耐久性好、毒性低、多功能等特点 ,可用于ＰＥ、ＡＢＳ、ＰＥＴ、ＳＡＮ、ＰＰ等合成材料的阻燃[1 - 3] 。本文以四溴双酚 -Ａ、2 ,3-二溴丙醇、三氯氧磷为主要原料 ,按下面的路线合成了四溴双酚 -Ａ磷酸酯齐聚物阻燃剂 (以下简称为阻燃剂ＦＲ - 42 1 )。1　实验部分1 .1　药品与仪器四溴双酚 -Ａ和三氯氧磷 (工业品 ,连云港双菱化工集团公司 …     

Flame retardant epoxy resins based on diglycidyloxymethylphenylsilane

Silicon‐containing epoxy resins were prepared from diglycidyloxymethylphenyl silane (DGMPS) and diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) by crosslinking with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM). Several DGMPS/DGEBA molar ratios were used to obtain materials with different silicon contents. Their thermal, dynamomechanical, and flame‐retardant properties were evaluated and related to the silicon content. The weight loss rate of the silicon‐containing resins is lower than that of the silicon free resin. Char yields under nitrogen and air atmospheres increase with the silicon content. The LOI (limited oxygen index) values increased from 24 for a standard commercial resin to 36 for silicon‐containing resins, demonstrating improved flame retardancy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5580–5587, 2006     

New generation of fire retardant polyester resins

Smoke evolution [in a smoke chamber (750 x 750 x 1000) ± 5 mm, Polish Standard PN-91/K-02501 equivalent to UIC 561-OR (1991)] was studied in, and the oxygen index flammability test (Polish Standard PN-76/C-89020) was carried out for, glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) laminates obtained with unsaturated polyester (UP) resins containing chlorine and bromine in the chain. In these studies, the effect on these properties of such additives as ZnSnO₃ (ZS), ZnSn(OH)₆ (ZHS), Al(OH)₃ or Mg(OH)₂ and Sb₂O₃ in an amount of up to 30 mass-% was determined. The most efficient ignition and smoke-evolution retarder from among the investigated compounds was ZS and ZHS, whereas an essential reduction in smoke evolution was observed also with Sb₂O₃. GRP laminates with these additives meet the fire-safety recommendations concerning smoke evolution from materials used in transportation means and in the building industry.