Interaction of a phosphorus‐based FR,a nanoclay and PA6—Part 1: Interaction of FR and nanoclay

The thermal decomposition of organophosphorus fire‐retardant (OP1311) and/ or organonanoclay (Cloisite 30B) is hereby investigated employing thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), to give an insight into their intrinsic behaviour and interaction in polymer nanocomposites for fire safety applications, because the addition of OP1311 and Cloisite 30B in Polyamide 6 (PA6) seems to have a synergistic effect on the thermal decomposition of PA6 (part 2 of the paper). An important objective of this research was to determine to what extent phosphorus components escape in the gaseous phase, which will affect the heat of combustion of the fire‐retarded polymer. The decomposition products arising from pyrolysis and combustion are investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Under pyrolytic conditions, the inclusion of Cloisite 30B into OP1311 (FR) shows a synergistic effect on the initial mass loss at low temperature of ～280–420°C and leads to the acceleration of the thermal degradation process. While the DTG curve of Cloisite 30B shows two distinct degradation peaks (steps) that of OP1311 and OP1311 plus Cloisite 30B show four degradation steps. TGA measurements of OP1311 in nitrogen show more mass loss than in air, whereas Cloisite 30B gives similar amounts of mass loss in air and nitrogen. In nitrogen, the major evolved gaseous species from Cloisite 30B alone are hydrocarbons, 2‐(diethylamino)ethanol and water, whereas the evolved gases from that of OP1311 at ～320°C are mainly water, at ～420°C, carbon dioxide, water and ammonia and at 480–570°C diethylphosphinic acid. Under thermo‐oxidative conditions, the gases evolved are mainly carbon dioxide and water from both Cloisite 30B and OP1311. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of morphology on the flame‐retardant behaviors of melamine cyanurate in PA6 composites

Three types of melamine cyanurate (MCA) with micrometer‐size sphere‐like, micrometer‐scale rod‐like, and nanometer‐scale flake‐like morphologies were synthesized by changing the chemical circumstances of the reactions. The microcosmic morphologies of MCA were characterized via scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. After the MCAs with different morphologies were incorporated into polyamide 6 (PA6), the flame‐retardant properties of the MCA/PA6 composites were investigated using the limited oxygen index (LOI), UL94, and cone calorimeter tests. The MCA/PA6 composites with nanometer‐scale flake‐like MCA obtained an LOI value of 29.5% and a UL94 V‐0 rating, which were higher than those with micrometer‐size sphere‐like and rod‐like MCAs. However, the different morphologies did not affect the heat release rate, total smoke release, average carbon monoxide yield, and average carbon dioxide yield based on the cone calorimeter. The flame‐retardant mechanism of MCAs with different morphologies was investigated via thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and TGA‐Fourier transform infrared spectra. The results show that the different morphologies of MCA resulted in different dispersed evenness of MCA. Further, the nanometer‐scale flake‐like morphology of MCA brought more interactions of hydrogen bond between MCA and PA6, which resulted in the delay of MCA decomposition and the enhancement of MCA flame‐retardant effect. The nanometer‐scale flake‐like MCA had a better performance compared with the other samples because of the delaying and even release of flame‐retardant effect by the decomposition of evenly dispersed MCA. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40558.     

三聚氰胺氰尿酸盐对聚酰胺6热降解行为的影响

用热失重(TGA和DTG)、差示扫描量热分析(DSC)等热分析手段和傅立叶红外光谱(FTIR)研究了三聚氰胺氰尿酸盐MC对PA6热降解性能的影响和作用本质。结果表明,MC降低了PA6的热稳定性,改变了PA6的热降解途径,促进了PA6的分解。MC分解形成的三聚氰胺可进一步凝缩成热稳定性较高的三嗪类物质,此物质在凝缩相中也具有一定的阻燃作用。而MC主要以吸热的方式在凝缩相分解区和气相反应区发挥阻燃作用。     

Role of caged bicyclic pentaerythritol phosphate alcohol in flame retardancy of PA6 and mechanism study

A series of PA6/PEPA composites were prepared by mixing caged bicyclic pentaerythritol phosphate alcohol (PEPA) and polyamide 6 (PA6) at different feed ratios by the melt‐blending method in a twin‐screw extruder. The influence of PEPA on the flame‐retardant properties of PA6 was investigated using the limiting oxygen index (LOI), the Underwriters Laboratories UL‐94 test, and the cone calorimeter method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG), and TG‐FTIR were conducted to study the influence of PEPA on the thermal decomposition and the mechanism of performance of PA6 from products of condensed and gaseous phases. The results show that the LOI value and the content of residual char of PA6/PEPA composites increased with increasing PEPA content, and an LOI value of 38% could be reached when the feed ratio of PEPA was 30 wt %. The average heat release rate and total heat release drastically decreased with increasing content of PEPA, and the amount of carbon residue increased by 52.9% over neat PA6 after TG tests. The inorganic acid produced by PEPA during combustion can be used as an acid source to promote the dehydration of PA6 and the processes of esterification crosslinking, arylation, and carbonization. Moreover, there was less CO₂ released than by PA6, and more carbon‐containing compound remained in the composites so that a stable carbon layer structure was formed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46236.     

Fire and thermal properties of PA 66 resin treated with poly‐N‐aniline‐phenyl phosphamide as a flame retardant

In this study, a halogen‐free phosphorous‐nitrogen synergistic flame retardant, poly‐N‐aniline‐phenyl phosphamide (PDPPD), was synthesized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and elemental analysis data confirmed the structure of PDPPD. The essential FR PA66 was polymerized with PA66 pre‐polymer and PDPPD pre‐polymer, prepared from PDPPD and adipic acid. The limit oxygen index and UL‐94 test results of FR PA66 reached 28% and V‐0, respectively, when the contents of PDPPD pre‐polymer were 4.5 wt%. The thermo‐gravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry results demonstrated that the initial decomposition temperature of FR PA66 was 43 °C lower than that of pristine PA66 from 385 to 342 °C; however, the peak decomposition temperature was 36 °C higher than that of pure PA66 from 437 to 473 °C, when the contents of PDPPD pre‐polymer reached 4.5 wt%. Flame retardant mechanism was studied by cone calorimeter testing and SEM‐EDX, confirming that the heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), and total smoke product (TSP) decreased slightly, and PDPPD followed the gas phase flame retardant mechanism. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flame retardancy of glass fiber reinforced high temperature polyamide by use of aluminum diethylphosphinate: thermal and thermo‐oxidative effects

Glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA) 6 T/DT flame retarded with aluminum diethylphosphinate (AlPi) was tested to assess its flame retardant properties. Models for the decomposition of PA 6T/DT with and without AlPi are presented. Thermal decomposition was measured by performing TGA with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy in the condensed phase. Fire behavior was studied using a cone calorimeter and flammability was tested with UL 94 and the limiting oxygen index. AlPi works as an effective flame retardant for glass fiber reinforced PA 6T/DT materials, acting in the gas phase. Also observed was condensed‐phase action, which occurs especially under oxidative conditions before the samples ignite. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

PA‐6 clay nanocomposite hybrid as char forming agent in intumescent formulations

This work deals with new flame retardant (FR) intumescent formulations for ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) using charring polymers polyamide‐6 (PA‐6) and polyamide‐6 clay nanocomposite hybrid (PA‐6‐nano) as carbonization agents. Use of PA‐6 nano improved both the mechanical and fire properties of FR EVA‐based materials. The part played by the clay in the improvement of the FR performance was studied using FTIR and solid state NMR. It is shown that the clay allowed the thermal stabilization of a phosphorocarbonaceous structure in the intumescent char which increased the efficiency of the shield and, in addition, the formation of a ‘ceramic’ which can act as a protective barrier. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

OMMT -卤-锑阻燃体系对 PA6／LGF 复合材料的影响

利用有机蒙脱土（ OMMT）协同溴代环氧树脂（ BER）、三氧化二锑（ Sb2 O3）通过熔融插层法制备OMMT-卤-锑阻燃长玻纤增强尼龙6复合材料（OMMT/FR/PA6/LGF）,通过极限氧指数（LOI）、垂直燃烧（UL-94）、锥形量热分析（CONE）、热失重分析（ TGA）、扫描电镜（ SEM）等方法研究了不同质量比的OMMT-卤-锑阻燃体系对OMMT/FR/PA6/LGF复合材料成炭、阻燃、燃烧、力学性能以及热稳定性的影响。结果表明,当OMMT添加量为2％, BER/Sb2 O3添加量为10％时,二者表现出优异的协同阻燃效应,不仅能促使OMMT/FR/PA6/LGF复合材料生成的炭层结构最为致密、均匀、连续,氧指数值最高且能保持FV-0级,还对复合材料的力学性能影响相对最小。     

The investigation on the flame retardancy mechanism of nitrogen flame retardant melamine cyanurate in polyamide 6

Melamine cyanurate (MCA) flame retardant polyamide 6 (PA6) shows good flame retardancy, but the corresponding mechanisms have not been completely understood. In this paper, Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), elemental analysis (EA), scanning electronmicroscope (SEM), energy dispersive scanning (EDS), thermogravimeric analysis (TGA) and pyrolysis-gas chromatogram-mass spectrometer (Py-GC-MS) were conducted to investigate the processes including melt-drip phase, gaseous phase and condensed phase of MCA/PA6 system. Compared with original PA6, it is found that MCA flame retardant PA6 mainly undergoes predominant weak bond-breakage degradation forming oligomers rather than oxidative degradation producing low-boiling point fuel as original PA6 does. The produced oligomers can accelerate the formation of the melt drips which effectively removes the combustion heat and latent fuel, also the self-condensation of these oligomers is advantageous to form stable cross-linking structure, thus greatly consolidating the char layer.     

Effect of boron‐containing materials on the flammability and thermal degradation of polyamide 6 composites containing melamine

Three different boron‐containing substances—zinc borate (ZnB), borophosphate (BPO₄), and a boron‐ and silicon‐containing oligomer (BSi)—were used to improve the flame retardancy of melamine in a polyamide 6 (PA‐6) matrix. The combustion and thermal degradation characteristics of PA‐6 composites were investigated with the limiting oxygen index (LOI), the UL‐94 standard, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)/Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A slight increase was seen in the LOI values of a sample containing BSi (1 wt %). BPO₄ at high loadings showed a V0 rating (indicating the best flame retardancy) and slightly lower LOI values in comparison with samples with only melamine. For ZnB and BSi, glassy film and char formation decreased the dripping rate and sublimation of melamine, and this led to low LOIs. According to the TGA–FTIR results, the addition of boron compounds did not change the decomposition product distribution of melamine and PA‐6. The addition of boron compounds affected the flame retardancy by physical means. The TGA data showed that boron compounds and melamine reduced the decomposition temperature of PA‐6. According to the DSC data, the inclusion of boron compounds increased the onset temperature of sublimation of melamine and also affected the flame retardancy negatively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

一种新型次膦酸盐阻燃PA6的制备及其阻燃性能

采用新型阻燃荆苯基次膦酸铝和MC复配阻燃体系对玻纤增强PA6进行阻燃改性.通过热失重分析研究了引入阻燃剂对PA6热分解过程的影响;通过氧指数和垂直燃烧测试研究PA6复合体系的阻燃性能.结果表明:当阻燃剂添加量为18%时,玻纤含量为30%的改性PA6的氧指数和垂直燃烧测试分别达到32%和V-0级.     

Application of a novel halogen‐free intumescent flame retardant for acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene

A novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR), containing ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and poly(tetramethylene terephthalamide) (PA4T), was prepared to flame‐retard acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS). The flame retardation of the IFR/ABS composite was characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL‐94 test. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and TGA coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG‐FTIR) were carried out to study the thermal degradation behavior of the composite and look for the mechanism of the flame‐retarded action. The morphology of the char obtained after combustion of the composite was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It has been found the intumescent flame retardant showed good flame retardancy, with the LOI value of the PA4T/APP/ABS (7.5/22.5/70) system increasing from 18.5 to 30% and passing UL‐94 V‐1 rating. Meanwhile, the TGA and TG‐FTIR work indicated that PA4T could be effective as a carbonization agent and there was some reaction between PA4T and APP, leading to some crosslinked and high temperature stable material formed, which probably effectively promoted the flame retardancy of ABS. Moreover, it was revealed that uniform and compact intumescent char layer was formed after combustion of the intumescent flame‐retarded ABS composite. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Polyamide‐enhanced flame retardancy of ammonium polyphosphate on epoxy resin

An attractive intumescent flame retardant epoxy system was prepared from epoxy resin (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A), low molecular weight polyamide (cure agent, LWPA), and ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The cured epoxy resin was served as carbonization agent as well as blowing agent itself in the intumescent flame retardant formulation. Flammability and thermal stability of the cured epoxy resins with different contents of APP and LWPA were investigated by limited oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results of LOI and UL‐94 indicate that APP can improve the flame retardancy of LWPA‐cured epoxy resins. Only 5 wt % of APP can increase the LOI value of epoxy resins from 19.6 to 27.1, and improve the UL‐94 ratings, reaching V‐0 rating from no rating when the mass ratio of epoxy resin to LWPA is 100/40. It is much interesting that LOI values of flame retardant cured epoxy resins (FR‐CEP) increase with decreasing LWPA. The results of TGA, FTIR, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicate that the process of thermal degradation of FR‐CEP consists of two main stages: the first stage is that a phosphorus rich char is formed on the surface of the material under 500°C, and then a compact char yields over 500°C; the second stage is that the char residue layer can give more effective protection for the materials than the char formed at the first stage do. The flame retardant mechanism also has been discussed according to the results of TGA, FTIR, and XPS for FR‐CEP. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

阻燃玻璃纤维增强PA6的紫外光稳定性

分别将三聚氰胺氰尿酸盐、十溴二苯乙烷、溴化聚苯乙烯和次磷酸盐作为阻燃剂对尼龙6(PA6)进行阻燃玻璃纤维增强改性,采用热失重分析仪、水平垂直燃烧测定仪、分光测色仪对PA6复合材料的热降解行为、阻燃性能和紫外光老化后色差值(ΔE)进行了分析。结果表明,阻燃剂的引入提升了PA6复合材料的阻燃性能,但是降低了复合材料的热稳定性。阻燃剂类型对PA6复合材料紫外光黄变的影响程度依次是溴化聚苯乙烯>十溴二苯乙烷>三聚氰胺氰尿酸盐、次磷酸盐。通过将紫外光吸收剂和中性受阻胺光稳定剂复配使用可以有效抑制溴化聚苯乙烯阻燃增强PA6材料的紫外光黄变。     

改性MCA的固相合成及其在PA6中的应用

本实验选用一种新的方法合成改性三聚氰胺氰尿酸盐(MCA),将三聚氰胺(MA)、氰尿酸(CA)和极少量水混合成膏状物并使其在室温下反应一定时间,再加入少量MCA和二氧化硅(Si O2)溶胶使其继续反应以制备改性MCA(mMCA)阻燃剂。将制备的mMCA与尼龙6(PA6)熔融共混制备阻燃PA6复合材料。用FTIR、XRD和TG对所制mMCA进行了表征,对阻燃PA6复合材料的阻燃性能和力学性能进行了测试。结果表明:所制mMCA的FTIR、XRD特征峰与MCA的特征峰一致;m MCA的最大热失重温度有了较大的提升达到465.2℃。在PA6复合材料中,当阻燃剂含量为13%时,阻燃PA6复合材料的极限氧指数(LOI)达到33%,阻燃性能为UL-94 V0级,锥形量热测试的PHRR降低了26.3%。随着阻燃剂含量的增加,复合材料的力学性能有所提高。与传统大量水体系制备mMCA方法相比,此法具有工艺简单、不需加热、耗水量极低,没有污水排放等优点。     

Synergistic Effect between a Novel Hyperbranched Flame Retardant and Melamine Pyrophosphate on the Char Forming of Polyamide 6

A novel hyperbranched polyphosphate bisphenol-S ester (HPPES) flame retardant was prepared. The structure and thermal stability of the product were characterized. Polyamide 6 (PA6), HPPES and melamine pyrophosphate (MPP) were used to prepare flame retardant PA6 (FR-PA6) through melt blending. Limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 vertical burning methods, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to investigate the combustion properties, thermal degradation behaviours and char forming of FR-PA6. The results showed that synergistic effect between HPPES and MPP was present, which enhanced the char forming and flame retardance of PA6.     

Flame retarding mechanism of Polyamide 6 with phosphorus‐nitrogen flame retardant and DOPO derivatives

A novel flame‐retardant composite was prepared by introducing a phosphorus‐nitrogen flame retardant and DOPO‐SiO₂ into PA6. DOPO‐SiO₂ was synthesized successfully in a one‐step process. PA6/OP1314/DOPO‐SiO₂ achieved a UL 94 V‐0 rating with an LOI value of 31%. The maximum mass loss rate of decomposition decreased significantly and char residue increased to 11.6 wt % compared with that of pure PA6. The compacted and dense char was formed due to the combination of the P‐N flame retardant and DOPO‐SiO₂. The complex viscosity of PA6/OP1314/DOPO‐SiO₂ increased considerably which tend to prevent the dripping phenomenon. The flame‐retardant mechanism of PA6/OP1314/DOPO‐SiO₂ was also investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR at different temperatures and the pyrolysis products were investigated by pyrolysis gas chromatography/ mass spectrum (Py‐GC/MS). It was assumed that DOPO‐SiO₂ and the hypophosphite of OP1314 possess excellent flame retardancy during the gaseous phase. Meanwhile, melamine and phosphate reacted with the pyrolytic products of PA6 to protect the matrix during the condensed phase. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42932.     

Influence of polyamide 6 as a charring agent on the flame retardancy,thermal, and mechanical properties of polypropylene composites

In this work, polyamide 6 (PA6) as a charring agent has been used in combination with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)‐microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (MTAPP) forming intumescent flame retardants (IFRs) which applies in polypropylene (PP). The effects of the IFRs on the flame retardancy, morphology of char layers, water resistance, thermal properties and mechanical properties of flame‐retardant PP composites are investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical properties test. The results show that the PP/MTAPP/PA6 composites exhibit much better flame‐retardant performances than the PP/MTAPP composites. The higher LOI values and UL‐94 V‐2 of the PP/MTAPP composites with suitable amount of PA6 are obtained, which is attributed to the thick and compact char layer structure evidenced by SEM. The results from TGA and DSC demonstrate that the introduction of PA6 into PP/MTAPP composites has a great effect on the thermal stability and crystallization behaviors of the composites. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of PP/MTAPP/PA6 composites are also improved greatly due to the presence of PA6 as a charring agent. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1355–1360, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of graphite on the flame retardancy and thermal conductivity of P‐N flame retarding PA6

In this article, a novel flame‐retardant polyamide 6 (PA6) was prepared by introducing a halogen‐free flame‐retardant (OP1314). Graphite was added as a flame‐retardant synergistic agent, and the flame retardancy was enhanced, especially the melt‐dripping was forbidden and for the formula of PA6/12 wt % OP1314/5 wt % graphite, UL94 V‐0 grade was reached. Meanwhile, the graphite is also an excellent thermal conductive filler and with the addition of 5 wt % graphite in the flame‐retardant PA6 mixtures, the thermal conductivity (λ) rose to 1.2 W/mK which was nearly three times higher than the flame‐retardant PA6. Due to the good flame retardancy and improved thermal conductivity, the material could be suitable for applications in electronic and electrical devices. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46559.     

Investigation on effects of aluminum and magnesium hypophosphites on flame retardancy and thermal degradation of polyamide 6

Two hypophosphites, aluminum hypophosphite (AlHP) and magnesium hypophosphite (MgHP), were applied to obtain flame retardant polyamide 6 (FR-PA6) composites. UL-94 and limiting oxygen index results indicated that AlHP contributed both good flame retardance and antidripping ability for PA6, while MgHP did not. Based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), AlHP and MgHP presented the different thermal degradation behavior. That is, the quick decomposition of AlHP took place at lower temperature than that of MgHP. AlHP promoted the early thermal degradation of PA6 and formed more char residue. The thermal decomposition mechanisms of AlHP and MgHP in nitrogen or air were suggested. Scanning electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that in the existence of AlHP, the morphological structures of char residue were more homogenous, and compact, and more char residue was formed. These results well illustrated the difference of the flame retardancy between AlHP and MgHP. Mechanical properties of PA6/AlHP and PA6/MgHP were also obtained. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012