Brazilianclays as synergistic agents in an ethylenic polymer matrix containing an intumescentformulation

The effect of two different Brazilian montmorillonitic clays in intumescent ammonium polyphosphate and pentaerythritol formulations was evaluated. Ethylene and butyl acrylate copolymer was used as polymeric matrix. The clays were added both to the pure polymer and to the polymer containing intumescent mixture. The influence of these mineral fillers on flame retardancy was investigated by thermogravimeric analysis (TG). The results show that these inorganic additives have a synergist effect in the polymeric composite containing the intumescent formulation.