Flammability of butadiene-acrylonitrile rubbers

The paper discusses the test results of butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber, Perbunan NT 1845 and Perbunan NT 3945, flammability and properties that characterise these elastomers under fire conditions. The flammability was tested by means of oxygen index and thermovision methods. The thorough testing of flammability performed by means of a cone calorimeter made it possible to assess the behaviour of these polymers under fire conditions. The following properties of the tested copolymers were taken into account in this assessment: ignitability, heat release during combustion, smoke-forming capability and toxicity of the gaseous products of thermal decomposition and combustion. It has been found that the increase in the acrylonitrile unit content in the copolymer decreases its flammability and the relative toxic fire hazard, but clearly increases the smoke-forming capability and so the specific extinction area.The interpretation of test results of the elastomers under investigation takes into consideration their thermal stability assessed on the basis of differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry and other complementary methods.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of halogenless flame retardants on the thermal properties, flammability, and fire hazard of cross-linked EVM/NBR rubber blends

This paper presents the results of investigating the thermal stability, flammability, and fire hazard of cross-linked EVM/NBR blends unfilled and filled with halogenless flame-retardant compounds such as melamine cyanurate or magnesium hydroxide. The thermal analysis of the blends was carried out in the atmosphere of air. The activation energy of the composite destruction was determined by two non-isothermal methods: Flynn–Wall–Ozawa’s and Kissinger’s methods. The flammability of the composites obtained was determined by the method of oxygen index and on the basis of their combustion in air. The fire hazard of the vulcanizates investigated was determined with the use of a cone calorimeter and on the basis of toxicometric parameters W _LC50SM. The test results have shown that the flame retardants used increase the thermal stability of the cross-linked blends and decrease their flammability, and thereby allow one to obtain self-extinguishing or non-flammable polymeric materials. The cross-linked EVM/NBR blends filled with these flame-retardant compounds are characterized by good mechanical properties and reduced fire hazard.     

The thermal properties and the flammability of pigmented elastomeric materials

This paper presents thermal properties of organic pigments such as zinc phthalocyanine and chloroaluminum phthalocyanine that were synthesized according to the literature data. These pigments were characterized by means of elementary analysis and measurements of particle size. They were then incorporated into butadiene-styrene rubber and butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber. The elastomeric mixtures were cross-linked by two methods: using organic peroxide or sulfur. The effect of phthalocyanines on the thermal properties, flammability, and fire hazard of the pigmented polymeric materials obtained as well as on their mechanical properties and cross-linking degree was studied. It has been shown that the phthalocyanine pigments not only impart appropriate esthetic values to the final goods but also increase their thermal stability and considerably reduce the flammability and fire hazard of elastomers and even make possible materials that are self-extinguishing under air atmosphere. These pigments also have a beneficial influence on the degree of cross-linking of the elastomers investigated and their mechanical properties.     

Effect of the top layer modification of polymers on their thermostability and flammability

Thermal properties, ageing resistance and flammability of peroxide vulcanizates of butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber Perbunan NT 1845 (NBR) of Bayer, modified in bulk and on a surface with synthesized hybrid functional poly(methylsiloxanes) were investigated. The derivatographic, DSC, oxygen index and FTIR methods were applied. It was stated that addition of poly(methylsiloxanes) caused distinct increase of ageing resistance and of NBR vulcanizates and decrease of their thermal decomposition rate and flammability, providing self-extinguishing samples. The mechanism of addition reactions of Si–H bond to multiple bonds of NBR has been proposed.     

Influence of surface modification on thermal stability and flammability of cross-linked rubbers

The paper discusses the test results of thermal stability and flammability of cross-linked diene rubbers containing silica prepared “in situ” from alkoxysilane precursors. The effect of the surface modification of unfilled vulcanizates by means of aqueous solutions of halogens, boron and organo-phosphoric compounds on their flammability was also assessed. The thermal analysis has been performed in air with the use of derivatography. The flammability of vulcanizates has been determined by the method of oxygen index and in air. It has been found that the modification of the vulcanizates with tetraethoxysilane that makes it possible to form silica “in situ” considerably reduces the flammability of cross-linked rubbers. The surface modification of the vulcanizates with halide and organo-phosphoric compounds allows one to radically decrease their flammability. The boric flame-retardant agents are the most effective modifiers. The most beneficial results were obtained with the use of boric acid.     

Thermal properties and flammability of fibres made from polyimidoamide nanocomposite

The effects of basic fibre-forming parameters on the thermal properties and flammability of fibres from polyimidoamide (PIA) nanocomposite have examined. The comparative analysis of the properties of fibres from modified PIA and PIA nanocomposite has been conducted. The multi-functional fibres prepared from PIA nanocomposite show increased porosity and sorption properties as well as a high thermal stability and reduced flammability in comparison with fibres without MMT.     

Analysis of the relationship between MCC and thermal analysis results in evaluating flammability of EPS foam

The thermal properties of EPS foam were tested by simultaneous thermal analysis in a nitrogen environment, using a Netzsch STA 449C TG-DSC. Pyrolysis products were characterized using mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The flammability of EPS foam was examined using microscale combustion calorimetry. Heat release rate, peak heat release rate, heat release capacity, and some typical temperatures were obtained. The relationships between thermal analysis and MCC were derived from above test results. This could become a significant methodology in establishing the parameters contributing to flammability of polymers.     

Thermal degradation and combustion of a polypropylene nanocomposite based on organically modified layered aluminosilicate

The specific features of thermal degradation and combustion of polypropylene nanocomposites based on organically modified layered aluminosilicate were studied. On the basis of thermogravimetric analysis data, a kinetic model that takes into account the diffusive character of the thermal degradation process for the PP nanocomposite was proposed. The basic flammability parameters of the nanocomposite were determined with the use of a cone calorimeter. The influence of diffusion constraints in the charred nanocomposite layer on the maximum heat release rate as a principal parameter of flammability was considered.     

Thermal properties and flammability performance of poly (vinyl alcohol)/α-zirconium phosphate nanocomposites

Nanocomposites of poly (vinyl alcohol) with ethylamine modified zirconium phosphate (ZrP-EA) were prepared by solution blending. Their morphologies were elucidated with X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, while the thermal stability and flammability performance were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectra and microscale combustion calorimetry. It was established that the morphology of the nanocomposites evolved as ZrP-EA content increased. In the nanocomposites, catalytic degradation of the acetate groups remaining in poly (vinyl alcohol) occurred and catalytic carbonization was observed. Microscale combustion calorimetry revealed that the flammability performance of poly (vinyl alcohol) was improved by the introduction of zirconium phosphate nanoplatelets.     

Thermal degradation and flame retardancy of polynorbornene by a zeolite

The relation between the thermal decomposition and flammability of polynorbornene (PNB) synthesized by addition polymerization was analyzed. In a small-sized vertical combustion test, the PNB did not combust or drip, and the first ignition was extinguished in the combustion test with a cone calorimeter. The decomposition products of PNB were of some low molecular weight compounds with random scissions on the norbornene structure, and alkene (with 12 carbons in the PNB used in this study) was selectively generated by retro-Diels-Alder reaction. When the zeolite was added, the decomposition was accelerated and low molecular weight products increased, especially H₂O. These results suggested that the flammability of the thermal decomposition gas was caused by the zeolite, which changed the composition of decomposition products. The lower flammability limits calculated in Le Chatelier's equation were increased from 0.9 to 1.3 by the zeolite. The flame retardancy of PNB was observed because the amount of H₂O as an inert gas and the lower flammability limit was increased.     

Modified thermal balance method for estimating minimum inerting concentraion of flammable refrigerant mixtures

R1234yf is considered as a better alternative for R134a (the conventional refrigerant) due to its low global warming potential value, while its usage is limited because of its flammability. The flammability of any flammable refrigerant can be reduced by adding dilutants that are inert. Two methods (group contribution method and thermal balance method) were used to estimate the minimum inerting concentration (which decides the flammability zone) of the binary mixtures (refrigerant?+?dilutant). It was observed that the group contribution method and the thermal balance method predicted minimum inerting concentration of the refrigerant mixture (refrigerant?+?dilutant) with an absolute error of more than 50% and 8%, respectively. Therefore, a modified thermal balance method is proposed in this study to estimate the minimum inerting concentration and found that the proposed method predicts the values with reasonable accuracy when compared with the available experimental data. Further, the minimum inerting concentration for the dilutants R125 and R245fa (that are not experimentally known) with R1234yf is estimated. The results indicated that R227ea has better inert effect with R1234yf when compared to other dilutants (R125, R134a and R245fa) considered in this study. It was also found that the critical inerting concentration for R1234yf is 36.5%.

     

The effect of boron-containing layered hydroxy salt (LHS) on the thermal stability and degradation kinetics of poly (methyl methacrylate)

A boron-containing layered hydroxy salt (LHS), ZHTMDBB, was prepared and compounded with a highly flammable synthetic polymer, poly (methyl methacrylate) {PMMA}, via melt blending: the composite structure was intercalated with poor dispersion. The effect of this LHS on the flammability, thermal stability and degradation kinetics of PMMA was investigated via cone calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The addition of 3-10% by mass of ZHTMDBB to PMMA resulted in significant reduction of peak heat release rate (22-48%) of the polymer and improvements in thermal stability were observed in both air and nitrogen. Effective activation energies for the degradation process were evaluated using Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Friedman, and Kissinger methods. All three methods indicated that the additive increased the activation energies of the first step of the degradation process in both air and nitrogen. Activation energies of the second step were lowered in nitrogen but were not significantly affected in air.     

Rapeseed oil as main component in synthesis of bio-polyurethane-polyisocyanurate porous materials modified with carbon fibers

Porous polyurethane-polyisocyanurate (PUR-PIR) composites have been synthesized using two types of rapeseed oil-based bio-polyols. The bio-polyols from rapeseed oil were synthesized using two methods: (i) transesterification and (ii) epoxidation followed by oxirane ring opening. The PUR-PIR porous materials were prepared with two isocyanate indices, 150 and 250, and were modified with carbon fibres (CF) in an amount of 3 and 6 wt% of the total foam mass. The structure of the composites was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were determined through a thermogravimetric analysis and measurements of the thermal conductivity, compressive strength, and Young modulus. The influence of CF on the composite flammability was analyzed using oxygen index and cone calorimeter tests. The investigations of the mechanical properties have shown that the compressive strength is the most beneficial in the case of the PUR-PIR foams modified with 6 wt % of CF. The studies have shown that the oxygen index of the composites increases with an increasing CF content and isocyanate index. An addition of CF reduces the heat rate release, especially for the materials with an isocyanate index of 250. An introduction of CF into the PUR-PIR foam structure is a way to improve the thermal stability and to decrease the flammability of final porous composites.     

Studies of Fire-Retardant Polyester Thermosets Using Thermal Methods

The use of thermal methods in the study of flammability and fire retardant action is discussed and compared with the standard test methods. This paper provides an overview with examples drawn from continuing studies on polyester resins, especially those containing halogenated monomers. Thermal analysis and cone calorimetry results are complemented byanalysis of the gaseous and solid products using a wide range of analytical methods.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal stability and flammability of butadiene- acrylonitrile rubber cross-linked with iodoform

Summary The paper discusses the results of thermal analysis and flammability of butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber, Perbunan NT 1845 of Bayer, cross-linked with iodoform. The properties of the iodoform vulcanizate have been compared with those of peroxide vulcanizate. The thermal analysis has been performed in air with use of a derivatograph under air and nitrogen atmosphere as well as dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC). The flammability of vulcanizates has been determined by the method of oxygen index and in air. The toxicity of the thermal decomposition and combustion products of the vulcanizates under investigation has been also determined. Based on complementary examinations, DTA and DSC curves have been interpreted from the point of view of thermal transitions of the conventionally and non-conventionally cross-linked nitrile rubbers. The glass transition temperature of the cross-linked polymer both in cooling and heating has been determined.     

Thermal and flammability behaviour of copolymers of N-(2, 4, 6-tribromophenyl)maleimide with some acrylates

The copolymers of N-(2, 4, 6-tribromophenyl)maleimide (TBPMI) with methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile of different composition were prepared by free radical polymerization at low conversion. Their thermal behaviour was established by TGA measurements in helium atmosphere and flammability properties were determined by limiting oxygen index method. The higher TBPMI content in the copolymer led to a higher thermal stability and lower flammability particularly when Sb₂O₃ was used as a synergist.     

LDPE/Mg-Al layered double hydroxide nanocomposite: Thermal and flammability properties

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are new nanofillers which exhibit improved thermal and flammability properties in various kinds of polymer matrices. These materials have certain advantages over conventional metal hydroxides and also layered silicates so far as the flame retardancy is concerned. In this article, flammability and thermal properties of the nanocomposite based on low density polyethylene (LDPE) and Mg-Al based layered double hydroxide (Mg-Al LDH) are reported in detail. The nanocomposites containing different LDH concentrations were prepared by melt-compounding using a tightly intermeshing co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The morphological analysis reveals an exfoliated/intercalated type LDH particle morphology in these nanocomposites. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that even a small amount of LDH improves the thermal stability and onset decomposition temperature in comparison with the unfilled LDPE. The heat release rate (HRR) and its maximum (PHRR) during cone-calorimeter investigation are found to be reduced significantly with increasing LDH concentration. The nanocomposites not only exhibit reduced total heat released (measure of propensity to produce long duration fire), but also lower tendency to fast fire growth (measured by the ratio of PHRR and time of ignition). The limited oxygen index (LOI) and the dripping behavior are also improved with increasing LDH concentration.     

Flammability of macrocyclic polymers and their complexes with metals

The peculiarities of thermal degradation and the flammability of nitrogen-containing macrocyclic polymers have been investigated. It has been shown that the thermal and thermo-oxidative stability of these polymers depend on the structure of the macrocycle, the type of organic radicals of the main unit and the metal nature. The effect of the type of n-conjugated macromolecules, as well as of the planarity and symmetry of macrocycle, on thermal stability as well as flammability of macrocyclic polymers has been studied. Metals (Cu, Co, Ni) in the coordination sphere increase the thermal stability and decrease the thermo-oxidative degradation of macrocyclic polymers.     

Thermal stability,flammability and fire hazard of butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber nanocomposites

This article presents the effect of the method of NBR cross linking on the thermal properties, flammability and fire hazard of its nanocomposites containing modified montmorillonite (NanoBent or Nanofil), using test results obtained by means of a derivatograph, oxygen index and cone calorimetry. It has been found that the thermal stability and flammability of the nanocomposites investigated depend on both the rubber network structure and the type of montmorillonite. The nanoadditives used reduce the flammability of cross-linked nitrile rubber and considerably limit its fire hazard.     

Chlorine-Functional Silsesquioxanes (POSS-Cl) as Effective Flame Retardants and Reinforcing Additives for Rigid Polyurethane Foams

The subject of the research was the production of silsesquioxane modified rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams (POSS-Cl) with chlorine functional groups (chlorobenzyl, chloropropyl, chlorobenzylethyl) characterized by reduced flammability. The foams were prepared in a one-step additive polymerization reaction of isocyanates with polyols, and the POSS modifier was added to the reaction system in an amount of 2 wt.% polyol. The influence of POSS was analyzed by performing a series of tests, such as determination of the kinetics of foam growth, determination of apparent density, and structure analysis. Compressive strength, three-point bending strength, hardness, and shape stability at reduced and elevated temperatures were tested, and the hydrophobicity of the surface was determined. The most important measurement was the determination of the thermal stability (TGA) and the flammability of the modified systems using a cone calorimeter. The obtained results, after comparing with the results for unmodified foam, showed a large influence of POSS modifiers on the functional properties, especially thermal and fire-retardant, of the obtained PUR-POSS-Cl systems.