Synergistic effect of metal oxides on the flame retardancy and thermal degradation of novel intumescent flame‐retardant thermoplastic polyurethanes

The synergistic effects of some metal oxides on novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR)–thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites were evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cone calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental data indicated that the metal oxides enhanced the LOI value and restricted the dropping of the composites. The IFR–TPU composites passed the UL‐94 V‐0 rating test (1.6 mm) in the presence of magnesium oxide (MgO) and ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) at 35 wt % IFR loading, whereas only the MgO‐containing IFR–TPU composite reached a UL‐94 V‐0 rating at 30 wt % IFR loading. The TGA results show that the metal oxides had different effects on the process of thermal degradation of the IFR–TPU compositions. MgO easily reacted with polyphosphoric acid generated by the decomposition of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to produce magnesium phosphate. MgO and Fe₂O₃ showed low flammability and smoke emission due to peak heat release rate, peak smoke production rate, total heat release, and total smoke production (TSP). However, zinc oxide brought an increase in the smoke production rate and TSP values. Among the metal oxides, MgO provided an impressive promotion on the LOI value. The alkaline metal oxide MgO more easily reacted with APP in IFRs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synergistic effects of aluminium hypophosphite on the flame retardancy and thermal degradation behaviours of a novel intumescent flame retardant thermoplastic vulcanisate composite

ABSTRACT

The synergistic effects of aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) on the flame retardancy, thermal degradation behaviors of a novel intumescent flame retardant thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV/IFR) composite were investigated. The results showed that the combination of AHP with IFR showed evident synergistic effects on the increase in the LOI value and reduction of the combustion parameters for the TPV/IFR/AHP composites at the optimum weight ratio of IFR/AHP (6/1) as evidenced by LOI, UL-94 and CCT. The TGA data revealed that AHP could change the degradation behavior of TPV/IFR composites and enhance the thermal stability of the TPV/IFR composites at high temperature. The results of FTIR, EDXS, LRS and SEM demonstrated that TPV/IFR/AHP composites could form more continuous, dense and stable char layer on the materials surface, and consequently improving the flame retardancy. Based on these results, the possible condensed flame retardant mechanism of TPV/IFR/AHP composites was concluded in detail.     

Flame retardancy and water resistance of novel intumescent flame‐retardant oil‐filled styrene–ethylene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer/polypropylene composites

A novel halogen‐free flame‐retardant composite consisting of an intumescent flame retardant (IFR), oil‐filled styrene–ethylene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer (O‐SEBS), and polypropylene (PP) was studied. On the basis of UL‐94 ratings and limiting oxygen index (LOI) data, the IFRs consisted of a charring–foaming agent, ammonium polyphosphate, and SiO₂ showed very effective flame retardancy and good water resistance in the IFR O‐SEBS/PP composite. When the loading of IFR was only 28 wt %, the IFR–O‐SEBS/PP composite could still attain a UL‐94 V‐0 (1.6 mm) rating, and its LOI value remained at 29.8% after a water treatment at 70°C for 168 h. Thermogravimetric analysis data indicated that the IFR effectively enhanced the temperature of the main thermal degradation peak of the IFR–O‐SEBS/PP composites because of the formation of abundant char residue. The flammability parameters of the composites obtained from cone calorimetry testing demonstrated that water treatment almost did not affect the flammability behavior of the composite. The morphological structures of the char residue and fractured surfaces of the composites were not affected by the water treatment. This was attributed to a small quantity of IFR extracted from the composite. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39575.     

Mechanical,thermal and combustion properties of intumescent flame retardant biodegradable poly (lactic acid) composites

ABSTRACT

Despite extraordinary mechanical properties and excellent biodegradability, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) still suffers from a highly inherent flammability, restricting its applications in the electric and automobile fields. Although a wide range of flame retardants have been developed to reduce the flammability, they normally compromise the mechanical strength of PLA. In this study, a series of composites based on PLA, have been prepared by melt-blending with intumescent flame retardants (IFRs). The morphology, thermal stability and burning behaviour of the composites were investigated using a scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM–EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning (UL-94) and the cone calorimeter test (CCT). The LOI value reached 38.5% and UL-94 could pass V-0 for the PLA/IFR composite containing only 12 wt-% IFR. The dispersion of IFR in PLA was observed using SEM–EDS. A significant improvement in fire retardant performance was observed for the PLA/IFR composite from the CCT (reducing the heat release rate and the total heat release). More importantly, compared to pure PLA, the addition of IFR did not seriously deteriorate the mechanical properties of the material.     

Synergistic flame retardant effect of BiFeO3 in intumescent flame‐retardant polypropylene composites

The BiFeO₃ was used to intumescent flame retardant (IFR) polypropylene (PP) composites as a synergist. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL‐94 tests indicated that there is an optimum synergistic concentration of BiFeO₃ in the PP/IFR composites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) results of flame retardant PP showed that the moderate of BiFeO₃ can reduce the decomposition rate of sample at high temperatures. TG of APP/PER/BiFeO₃ showed that BiFeO₃ main affects the third mass loss stage of APP/PER. So the morphology and composition of the char residue of APP/PER/BiFeO₃ composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS). An appropriate amount of BiFeO₃ can react with APP/PER forming Bi O P and Fe O P bond, and so more P elements was involved in a crosslinking reaction to form more stable char residue, which can effectively increase the flame retardant properties of PP. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2771–2778, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synergistic flame‐retardant effect of halloysite nanotubes on intumescent flame retardant in LDPE

Synergistic flame‐retardant effect of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) on an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) in low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) was investigated by limited oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cone calorimeter (CC) test, and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The results of LOI and UL‐94 tests indicated that the addition of HNTs could dramatically increase the LOI value of LDPE/IFR in the case that the mass ratio of HNTs to IFR was 2/28 at 30 wt % of total flame retardant. Moreover, in this case the prepared samples could pass the V‐0 rating in UL‐94 tests. CC tests results showed that, for LDPE/IFR, both the heat release rate and the total heat release significantly decreased because of the incorporation of 2 wt % of HNTs. SEM observations directly approved that HNTs could promote the formation of more continuous and compact intumescent char layer in LDPE/IFR. TGA results demonstrated that the residue of LDPE/IFR containing 2 wt % of HNTs was obviously more than that of LDPE/IFR at the same total flame retardant of 30 wt % at 700°C under an air atmosphere, and its maximum decomposing rate was also lower than that of LDPE/IFR, suggesting that HNTs facilitated the charring of LDPE/IFR and its thermal stability at high temperature in this case. Both TGA and SEM results interpreted the mechanism on the synergistic effect of HNTs on IFR in LDPE, which is that the migration of HNTs to the surface during the combustion process led to the formation of a more compact barrier, resulting in the promotion of flame retardancy of LDPE/IFR. In addition, the mechanical properties of LDPE/IFR/HNTs systems were studied, the results showed that the addition of 0.5–2 wt % of HNTs could increase the tensile strength and the elongation at break of LDPE/IFR simultaneously. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40065.     

Flammability,thermal stability,and mechanical properties of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer/polypropylene composites filled with intumescent flame retardant and inorganic synergists

Three kinds of inorganic particles, zinc borate (ZB), organic montmorillonite (OMMT), and expanded graphite (EG) as synergistic flame retardants, are incorporated into ethylene-propylene-diene monomer/polypropylene (EPDM/PP) composites filled with intumescent flame retardants (IFR). The effect of three synergistic flame retardants on the combustion, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the EPDM/PP/IFR composites are investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 test, cone calorimeter test (CCT), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy, mechanical property testing, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The results from LOI, UL-94, and CCT show that the synergistic effect of IFR with ZB and EG is better than IFR with OMMT in the flame retardant EPDM/PP/IFR composites. The TGA results indicate that the thermal stability and char residues of the composites is improved with the addition of inorganic particles, which is attributed to the formation of dense char layers to isolate heat flow. DMA results including storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G"), and loss factor (tan δ) suggest that the composites with inorganic particles exhibit more rubber-filler interaction, which limits the movement of the rubber chains.     

改性赤泥协同膨胀型阻燃剂阻燃聚乙烯

以聚磷酸铵（APP）、季戊四醇（PER）和三聚氰胺（MEL）复配的膨胀型阻燃体系（IFR）为主要阻燃剂,表面改性后的赤泥（Ti-MRM）作为协效剂阻燃聚乙烯（PE）,采用熔融共混法制备PE基阻燃复合材料（PE/IFR-Ti-MRM）。通过热重分析仪（TGA）、垂直燃烧仪（UL-94）、极限氧指数测定仪（LOI）及扫描电镜（SEM）等对其热氧稳定性、燃烧等级、阻燃性能和残炭形貌进行了表征与分析。结果表明：加入改性赤泥的PE/IFR-Ti-MRM复合材料形成的炭层更加致密和连续,当最优配比时,复合材料的极限氧指数达到32.2,燃烧等级达到V-0级;而PE/IFR阻燃复合材料的极限氧指数只能达到27.5,燃烧等级为V-2级。     

A novel lanthanum-based phosphorus-containing flame retardant agent and its application in polylactic acid

Currently, intumescent flame retardants (IFR) are often used in the flame retardant modification of polylactic acid (PLA). Due to the high loading, it will weaken the mechanical properties of PLA. In this study, lamellar lanthanum-based DOPO derivative (La@DDP) is prepared by solution method, and it acts as a flame retardant agent was added into PLA with IFR. The results show that PLA composite passes the UL94 V-0 rating with a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 32.0, in the addition of 4.5 wt% IFR and 1.5 wt% La@DDP. Moreover, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) of the PLA composite reduces by 31.0% and 23.2% compared to pure PLA, respectively. IFR/La@DDP agents assign the PLA composite with excellent thermal stability and carbon-forming ability. Through the analysis of residual char, the synergistic flame retardant mechanism between IFR and La@DDP in PLA composite is discussed. Notably, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the PLA composites are only reduced by 4.03% and 9.51% compared to pure PLA. This work provides a novel lanthanum-based flame retardant agent for designing PLA composites with good fire safety and mechanical properties, and it will broaden the application range of PLA.     

The electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding of injection molded multi-walled carbon nanotube/polystyrene composites

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polystyrene (PS) composites were injection molded into a mold equipped with three different cavities. A high alignment of MWCNTs in PS was achieved by applying high shear force to the melt. The effects of gate and runner designs and processing conditions, i.e., mold temperature, melt temperature, injection/holding pressure and injection velocity, on the volume resistivity of the composites were investigated in both the thickness and in-flow directions. The experiments showed that volume resistivity could be varied up to 7 orders of magnitude by changing the processing conditions in the injection molded samples. The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the molded composites was studied by considering the alignment of the MWCNTs. The EMI SE decreased with an increase in the alignment of the injection-molded MWCNTs in the PS matrix. This study shows that mold designs and processing conditions significantly influence the electrical conductivity and shielding behavior of injection molded CNT-filled composites.     

The flammability of expandable polystyrene foams coated with melamine modified urea formaldehyde resin

Urea formaldehyde resin (UF) was modified by introducing melamine during the condensation in order to reduce the amount of free formaldehyde and increase the solid content. The melamine modified UF (MUF) was firstly mixed with intumescent flame retardant (IFR) and then coated on the surface of pre‐expanded polystyrene (PS) particles to prepare flame retardant expandable PS (EPS) foams. The flammability of EPS foam samples was characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 vertical burning and cone calorimeter tests, and the results indicated that the peak heat release rate was significantly reduced from 406 to 49 kW/m² and LOI value could reach 36.3 with V‐0 rating in UL‐94 test after coated with IFR. The smoke density test indicated that the maximum smoke density was decreased by the addition of IFR. Thermal analysis suggested that the thermal stability and char formation were significantly improved by the presence of coated flame retardants. The residual char observation revealed that MUF and IFR were beneficial to form integrated char layers with hollow stents, which could be the main reason for the improvement of flame retardant properties. The mechanical properties of flame retardant EPS foams can still meet the standard requirements for industrial applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44423.     

Experimental study on polystyrene with intumescent flame retardants from different scale experiments

In this study, the fire performance and toxicity of intumescent flame retardant (IFR) polystyrene composites were investigated experimentally. Ammonium polyphosphate, pentaerythritol, and melamine were selected as IFR. The flammability of the polystyrene (PS) composites was evaluated by microscale combustion calorimetry and cone calorimetry and in the ISO Room. The results suggested that the thermal stability and the peak heat release rate of PS composites decreased with the increasing content of IFR. In the cone calorimeter and ISO 9705 testing, the carbon monoxide yield of PS composites also decreased markedly with the addition of IFR. Scanning electron microscope images show that the char from cone calorimetry testing was more compact and smoother than that from the ISO 9705 testing. The comparison between bench‐ and full‐scale tests demonstrated that the flammability and the toxicity of PS composites are decreased markedly due to the incorporation of the flame retardant, but considerable differences exist. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergistic effects of zinc oxide in intumescent flame retardant silicone rubber composites

Abstract

The synergistic effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) with intumescent flame retardant (IFR; based on phosphorus acid, melamine and pentaerythritol) in silicone rubber (SR) composites have been studied using limiting oxygen index, UL-94, cone calorimeter test and digital photographs. The results showed that 2·0 wt-% loading ZnO in the flame retardant SR composites could greatly reduce the peak values of heat release rate and smoke production rate, and form a compact char layer on the surface of the sample. Thus, a suitable amount of ZnO plays a synergistic effect with IFR in flame retardant SR composites system.     

Improving fire behavior and smoke suppression of flame-retardant PBS composites using lignin chelate as carbonization agent and catalyst

A copolymer of alkali lignin and polyacrylamide was fabricated by graft copolymerization, and further chelated with Fe³⁺. The obtained lignin chelate with star structure was used as synergistic agent and catalyst with the incorporation of intumescent flame retardants (IFRs) to prepare flame-retarded poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) composites. The replacement of IFR by lignin chelate favors the enhancement of mechanical performance, resulting in the synchronous improvement of tensile and flexural properties. Compared with the specimen used 25 wt% IFRs (75P/25I), the tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of specimen prepared by 23 wt% IFRs and 2 wt% lignin chelate (75P/23I/2LC) exhibited significant increased. A synergistic effect between IFR and lignin chelate occurred when they were combined with an appropriate ratio. When IFR and lignin chelate loadings were 24 and 1 wt%, respectively (75P/24I/1 LC), the limited oxygen index (LOI) value of 36.2% and UL-94 V0 rate of composite could be achieved. Compared with 75P/25I, the char residue mass of 75P/24I/1 LC increased by 35.7%. Moreover, SEM images indicated that a more compact, smooth, and continuous char layer of 75P/24I/1 LC could be formed during combustion. The peak heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) of 75P/24I/1 LC decreased by 58.9% and 9.9% compared with PBS, also decreased by 10.3% and 4.8% compared with 75P/25I, respectively. TGIR and FTIR analysis also indicated that lignin chelate exhibited an excellent synergistic effect with IFRs, and gave PBS a good flame retardancy by making contribution to char-formation and gas-phase flame retardancy. This study provides an alternative way for the application of natural polymers such as lignin in flame retardant materials.     

膨胀型阻燃剂/二乙基次磷酸铝阻燃改性不饱和树脂基复合材料

采用密胺包覆聚磷酸铵（APP）、季戊四醇（PER）和三聚氰胺（MEL）作为膨胀型阻燃剂（IFR）对不饱和树脂（UP）进行改性,研究了APP、PER和MEL不同复配比例及用量对不饱和树脂基复合材料阻燃性能和力学性能的影响。基于IFR最佳用量,以二乙基次磷酸铝（ADP）为协效剂,研究了ADP用量对IFR/UP阻燃复合材料阻燃性能、力学性能及热稳定性的影响。结果表明,当APP∶PER∶MEL复配比例为4∶1∶1,IFR添加量为15 %（质量分数,下同）时,复合材料综合性能最佳,其极限氧指数为27.4 %,UL 94垂直燃烧达到V?1等级,弯曲强度和冲击韧性分别为100.3 MPa和6.3 kJ/m²;ADP的引入能够进一步提高IFR/UP复合材料阻燃性能,且随着ADP质量分数的增加而增强;当ADP质量分数为2 %时,IFR?ADP/UP复合材料极限氧指数为28.5 %并达到V?0阻燃等级,弯曲强度和冲击韧性分别为110 MPa和7.8 kJ/m²,与IFR/UP复合材料相比,分别提高了9.7 %和23.8 %;ADP能够促进IFR/UP复合材料表面成炭,缓解基体的热降解。     

Effect of a novel phosphorus‐containing compound on the flame retardancy and thermal degradation of intumescent flame retardant polypropylene

A novel flame retardant, tetra(5,5‐dimethyl‐1,3‐ dioxaphosphorinanyl‐2‐oxy) neopentane (DOPNP), was synthesized successfully, and its structure was characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, and ³¹P NMR. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results demonstrate that DOPNP showed a good char‐forming ability. Its initial decomposition temperature was 236.4°C based on 1% mass loss, and its char residue was 41.2 wt % at 600°C, and 22.9 wt % at 800°C, respectively. The flame retardancy and thermal degradation behavior of novel intumescent flame‐retardant polypropylene (IFR‐PP) composites containing DOPNP were investigated using limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, TGA, cone calorimeter (CONE) test, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrate that DOPNP effectively raised LOI value of IFR‐PP. When the loading of IFR was 30 wt %, LOI of IFR‐PP reached 31.3%, and it passed UL‐94 V‐0. TGA results show that DOPNP made the thermal decomposition of IFR‐PP take place in advance; reduced the thermal decomposition rate and raised the residual char amount. CONE results show that DOPNP could effectively decrease the heat release rate peak of IFR‐PP. A continuous and compact char layer observed from the SEM further proved the flame retardance. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

Synergistic effect of intumescent flame retardant and zinc borate on linear low-density polyethylene

A series of novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR) based on melamine, neopentyl glycol, and aluminum diethylphosphinate were prepared and tested. In addition, the synergistic effect of the novel IFR and zinc borate (ZB) on the flame retardancy of LLDPE composites was investigated. The structures of novel IFR and ZB were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) increased from 19.3% for the pure LLDPE to 27% for the 25 wt% IFR/5 wt% ZB composites and the composites achieved the desired V-0 rating in the UL-94 test. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the addition of IFR/ZB reduced the pyrolysis rate of the LLDPE composites at high temperatures and increased the amount of the char residues, and the char residue of LLDPE-5 reached 12.1 wt% at 700°C. Cone calorimetry (CCT) data showed that the peak of total heat release, heat release rate, and fire growth index were comparatively reduced, indicating that the addition of IFR/ZB decreased the fire hazard of LLDPE composites. The formation of a compact and thermally stable char layer on the surfaces of LLDPE composites was revealed from the scanning electrone microscopy images and digital photographs of the char residue after the CCT tests.     

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     

Synergistic effects of molybdenum disulfide on a novel intumescent flame retardant polyformaldehyde system

A novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR) composed of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), benzoxazine containing trialkoxysilane (BA-a-Si) and melamine (ME), is compounded with different specifications of MoS₂ as synergist to flame retard polyformaldehyde (POM). The flame retardancy and mechanism of the composites are analyzed by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical combustion (UL-94) and cone calorimeter. At the same time, the mechanical properties and lubricating properties are tested by electromechanical testing machine and wear testing machine. The experimental results show that MoS₂ has a good synergistic effect with IFR, and the smaller the average particle size of MoS₂ is, it seems to be more beneficial to improve the flame retardancy of POM composites. Only a small amount of MoS₂ (0.8 wt%) is needed to synergize with IFR, the flame retardant POM composite (FR-POM) can achieve UL-94 (3.2 mm) V-0 rating, LOI of 62.5%, and heat release rate reduction of 25.3%, total smoke release decreased by 29.5%. In addition, from the mechanical properties analysis, it is found that the microscale MoS₂(M2) can better improve the bending and tensile properties of the FR-POM composites, while the nanoscale MoS₂(N80) is more helpful to improve the lubricating properties.     

Synergistic Effect of Montmorillonite and Intumescent Flame Retardant on Flame Retardance Enhancement of ABS

The synergistic effects of organic montmorillonite (OMMT) and intumescent flame retardant (IFR) based on the ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and pentaerythritol (PER) on flame retardant enhancement of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) were investigated by using the limiting oxygen index (LOI), the UL-94 (vertical flame) test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), x-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The LOI data and vertical flame tests show that OMMT has a synergistic flame retardant effect with IFR and the LOI value of ABS/OMMT/IFR (96/4/20) reaches 28.7%. The TGA data demonstrate that the incorporation of OMMT and IFR is very effective in enhancing the thermal stability of ABS/OMMT/IFR system at high temperature (T > 500°C). The results of XRD show that the composite of ABS/OMMT is a kind of intercalated nanocomposite and the gallery height of ABS/OMMT nanocomposite is 3.5 nm. The microstructures observed by SEM demonstrate that a suitable amount of OMMT with IFR can promote formation of compact intumescent charred layers in ABS blends.