OMMT和EG/MH协同阻燃LLDPE的研究

采用氢氧化镁(MH)、膨胀石墨(EG)和有机蒙脱土(OMMT)为阻燃剂制备了无卤阻燃线性低密度聚乙烯(LLDPE),研究了OMMT对LLDPE/EG/MH阻燃性能和力学性能的影响。结果表明:少量OMMT的加入,可以有效改善LLDPE/EG/MH的力学性能、阻燃性能和热稳定性。当OMMT质量分数为3.0%时,LLDPE/EG/MH/OMMT的拉伸强度和冲击强度分别为1.4 MPa和26.5 kJ/m~2;极限氧指数为35.0%,符合UL-94 V-0级;其热释放速率峰值、平均热释放速度、生烟速率和总生烟量比LLDPE/EG/MH的低。     

Intumescent char structures and flame‐retardant mechanism of expandable graphite‐based halogen‐free flame‐retardant linear low density polyethylene blends

The structures of the intumescent charred layers formed from expandable graphite (EG)‐based intumescent halogen‐free flame retardant (HFFR) linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) blends and their flame‐retardant mechanism in the condensed phase have been studied by dynamic Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermal conductivity (TC) measurements. The dynamic FTIR, XPS and LRS data show that the carbonaceous structures of intumescent charred layers consist of EG and various numbers of condensed benzene rings and/or phosphocarbonaceous complexes attached by the P? O? C and P? N bonds or quaternary nitrogen products. The addition of EG can hasten the formation of these phosphocarbonaceous structures. The above results show that the flame‐retardant mechanism in the condensed phase is that the compact char structures, as observed by SEM, slow down heat and mass transfer between the gas and condensed phase and prevent the underlying polymeric substrate from further attack by heat flux in a flame. The DTA and TC data show that carbonaceous charred layers are good heat‐insulating materials, the TC value of which is only about one‐tenth of that of the corresponding blend and that they increase the oxidization temperature and decrease thermal oxidization heat of the LLDPE/EG/HFFR systems. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Magnesium hydroxide modified by 1‐n‐tetradecyl‐3‐carboxymethyl imidazolium chloride and its effects on the properties of LLDPE

In this study, Mg(OH)₂ (MH) was first modified by 1‐n‐tetradecyl‐3‐carboxymethyl imidazolium chloride ([C₁₄cim]Cl), an imidazolium ionic liquid, and then the modified MH ([C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH) was incorporated into linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) by melt‐mixing to obtain the LLDPE/[C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH composites. The interaction between [C₁₄cim]Cl and MH was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The thermal decompostion behaviors of the LLDPE/[C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH composites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The flame retardance, tensile and Izod Impact properties of the LLDPE/[C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH composites were tested. For comparison, the LLDPE/MH composites and LLDPE/SA‐MH composites (SA‐MH is stearic acid) were prepared and their properties were studied in the same way. It was found that [C₁₄cim]Cl interacted with MH via chemical bonding, and served as an efficient lubricant and compatibilizer for MH and LLDPE, leading to great improvements of processability and mechanical properties of the LLDPE/[C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH composites. The LLDPE/[C₁₄cim]Cl‐MH composites also showed a remarkably promoted char formation and effectively eliminated melt drips, thus endowing the composites with sufficiently high flame retardancy. POLYM. ENG. SCI., © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Expandable graphite systems for halogen‐free flame‐retarding of polyolefins. I. Flammability characterization and synergistic effect

The use of some types of expandable graphite (EG) as an intumescent flame‐retardant additive in polyolefins was studied using the cone calorimeter test (CCT), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the limiting oxygen index (LOI), and the‐UL 94 test and through measurement of EG's mechanical and electrical properties. The present study has shown that some suitable EG systems combined with other organic and inorganic halogen‐free flame‐retardant (HFFR) additives apparently can improve the flame‐retardant capacity with good mechanical properties of polyolefin blends. For linear low‐density polyethylene and/or ethylene vinyl acetate/EG/HFFR blends the limiting oxygen index can reach a rating above 29, and the UL‐94 test can produce a value of V–0. The CCT and TGA data show that the EG and EG/HFFR additives not only promoted the formation of carbonaceous char but also greatly decreased the heat release rate and the effective heat of combustion and increased the residues after burning. The synergistic effect of EG with other HFFR additives, such as zinc borate, the phosphorus–nitrogen compound NP28, and microcapsulated red phosphorus is examined and discussed in detail in this article. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1181–1189, 2001     

The combination of expandable graphite,organic montmorillonite,and magnesium hydrate as fire‐retardant additives for ethylene–propylene–diene monomer/chloroprene rubber foams

The fire retardancy and flame‐retardant mechanism of expandable graphite (EG), organic montmorillonite (OMMT), and magnesium hydrate (MH) in ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer/chloroprene rubber (EPDM/CR) foams were investigated. The results indicated that the combination of EG and OMMT remarkably improved the fire‐retardant property compared to the control samples, and better fireproof performance was achieved when MH was used as the third coretardant unit. The structure of the obtained EPDM/CR/OMMT composites was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, and the results showed that the composites had an intercalated nanostructure. The limiting oxygen index, vertical burning test, and cone calorimeter test results showed that the LOI values and UL‐94 rating increased while the second peak of the heat release rates (HRR) decreased within the EG/OMMT system. In particular, the second pHRR disappeared when the EG/OMMT/MH system was used as a flame retardant. Moreover, the results of thermogravimetric analysis showed that the combination of EG and OMMT reduced the thermal‐degradation rates and mass‐loss percentages. Furthermore, observation by scanning electron microscopy revealed that EG and OMMT left over after combustion formed a complete, compact, and rigid charred layer with a mosaic structure of expanded graphite embedded in cortical‐honeycomb layers of OMMT. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44929.     

Influence of modified polyethylene compatibilizer on filler dispersion and flammability characteristics of linear low density polyethylene/cyclo olefin copolymer blends containing flame retardant combinations

In this study, the combination of organomodified montmorillonite (MMT), magnesium hydroxide (MDH), graphene oxide (GO) and expandable graphite (EG) as intumescent flame retardant for Linear Low-Density Polyethylene-Cyclo-Olefin Copolymer (LLDPE/COC) blends has been investigated. An amine-alcohol modified polyethylene (PEgDMAE) was used as compatibilizer. Limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter determinations and flammability test (Underwriters Laboratory – UL-94) were used to evaluate the flame retardant properties. The structural characterization was measured by FTIR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties were also evaluated by Dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA). The PEgDMAE compatibilizer enhanced the filler dispersion and increased the LOI to 22% for clay, 23% for GO and 26.5% for EG composites. The results indicated that the combination of each additive makes it possible to reduce the total Magnesium hydroxide filler content from 55 to 20% to achieve the flame retardant requirements. The flame retardant and mechanical properties of LLDPE/COC blends increased to a higher extent when using the combination of these additive fillers.     

Combustion characteristics and synergistic effects of red phosphorus masterbatch with expandable graphite in the flame retardant HDPE/EVA composites

In this work, the flammability behaviors and synergistic effects of red phosphorus masterbatch (RPM) with expandable graphite (EG) in flame‐retardant high‐density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl‐acetate copolymer (HDPE/EVA) composites have been investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, cone calorimeter test (CCT), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The data obtained from LOI, UL‐94 test and CCT showed that suitable amount of RPM had synergistic effects with EG in the HDPE/EVA/EG/RPM composites. The addition of RPM greatly increased the LOI values by 3.4%, obtained UL‐94 V‐0 rating, decreased the heat release rates and total heat release, and prolongated the ignition time when 6.7 phr RPM substituted for EG in the HDPE/EVA/EG/RPM composites. The data from TGA and FTIR spectra also indicated the synergistic effects of RPM with EG considerably enhanced the thermal degradation temperatures. The morphological observations after UL‐94, CCT, and SEM images presented positive evidences that the synergistic effects took place for RPM with EG, and the flame‐retardant mechanism has been changed in flame‐retardant HDPE/EVA/EG/RPM composites. The formation of stable and compact charred residues promoted by RPM acted as effective heat barriers and thermal insulations, which improved the flame‐retardant performances and prevented the underlying polymer materials from burning. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:2884–2892, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

MRP/MH/EG协同阻燃HDPE的性能研究

以微胶囊化红磷(MRP)、氢氧化镁(MH)及可膨胀石墨(EG)为阻燃剂,采用熔融挤出法制备了多组高密度聚乙烯(PE-HD)阻燃复合材料。采用氧指数测试、垂直燃烧测试、红外光谱分析、激光拉曼光谱分析、热重-差热分析、扫描电子显微镜分析及拉伸性能测试等方法对复合材料的阻燃性能、热稳定性、力学性能和断面的微观形貌进行了研究,并探讨了阻燃机理。结果表明,单独使用EG时阻燃效果差,但将EG与MRP、MH复配使用能有效改善材料的阻燃性能;当PE-HD/MH /MRP /EG = 100/35/15/5(质量份,下同)时,复合材料的氧指数为28.5 %,垂直燃烧达到UL 94 V-0级,而阻燃剂的加入对材料拉伸性能的影响并不是很大;SEM分析表明, EG与PE-HD基材有很好的相容性,而MRP或MH与PE-HD基材的相容性较差。     

Synergistic effects of exfoliated LDH with some halogen‐free flame retardants in LDPE/EVA/HFMH/LDH nanocomposites

The synergistic effects of exfoliated layered double hydroxides (LDH) with some halogen‐free flame retardant (HFFR) additives, such as hyperfine magnesium hydroxide (HFMH), microencapsulated red phosphorus (MRP), and expandable graphite (EG), in the low‐density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer/LDH (LDPE/EVA/LDH) nanocomposites have been studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TGA and DTG), mechanical properties, limiting oxygen index (LOI), and UL‐94 tests. The XRD results show that EVA as an excellent compatilizer can promote the exfoliation of LDH and homogeneous dispersion of HFMH in the LDPE/EVA/HFMH/LDH nanocomposites prepared by melt‐intercalation method. The TEM images demonstrate that the exfoliated LDH layers can act as synergistic compatilizer and dispersant to make the HFMH particles dispersed homogeneously in the LDPE matrix. The results from the mechanical, LOI, and UL‐94 tests show that the exfoliated LDH layers can also act as the nano‐enhanced and flame retardant synergistic agents and thus increase the tensile strength, LOI values, and UL‐94 rating of the nanocomposites. The morphological structures of charred residues observed by SEM give the positive evidence that the compact charred layers formed from the LDPE/EVA/HFMH/LDH nanocomposites with the exfoliated LDH layers play an important role in the enhancement of flame retardant and mechanical properties. The TGA and DTG data show that the exfoliated LDH layers as excellent flame retardant synergist of MRP or EG can apparently increase the thermal degradation temperature and the charred residues after burning. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation and characterization of microcapsulated red phosphorus and its flame‐retardant mechanism in halogen‐free flame retardant polyolefins

Microcapsulated red phosphorus (MRP), with a melamine–formaldehyde resin coating layer, was prepared by two‐step coating processes. The physical and chemical properties of MRP were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and other measurements. The flame retardant action and mechanism of MRP in the halogen‐free flame retardant (HFFR) polyolefins (PO) blends have been studied using cone calorimeter, limiting oxygen index (LOI), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic FTIR spectroscopy. The results show that the MRP, which is coated with melamine–formaldehyde resin, has a higher ignition point, a considerably lower amount of phosphine evolution and of water absorption compared with red phosphorus (RP) itself. The data observed by cone calorimeter, LOI and TGA measurements from the PO/HFFR blends demonstrated that the MRP can decrease the heat release rate and effective heat of combustion, and increase the thermostability and LOI values of PO materials. The dynamic FTIR results revealed the flame‐retardant mechanism that RP can promote the formation of charred layers with the P–O and P–C complexes in the condensed phase during burning of polymer materials. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Addition flame‐retardant effect of nonreactive phosphonate and expandable graphite in rigid polyurethane foams

A series of flame‐retardant rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) containing nonreactive phosphonate (5‐ethyl‐2‐methyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaphosphorinan‐5‐yl) methyl dimethyl phosphonate P‐oxide (EMD) and expandable graphite (EG) were prepared by water blown. The flame‐retardant properties and mechanism of EMD/EG on RPUFs were systematically investigated. The EMD/EG system effectively increased the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value and decreased the values of total heat release (THR), av‐effective heat of combustion (EHC), pk‐heat release rate (HRR), total smoke release (TSR) of RPUFs. The impact values of LOI, THR, and av‐EHC resulted by EMD/EG system are nearly equal to the sum of the impact values by EMD and EG individually in RPUFs, which implies the addition flame‐retardant effect from EMD and EG. EMD alone exerted excellent gas‐phase flame‐retardant effect by releasing PO fragments with quenching effect. The firm residue produced by EMD combined well with the loose and worm‐like expanded graphite from EG further to form compact and expanded char layer, which brought excellent barrier effect and filtration effect to matrix. That's why pk‐HRR and TSR values of RPUF reduced. Depending on the simultaneous actions of EMD/EG system in gas phase and condensed phase during combustion, the flame‐retardant effects from nonreactive phosphonate and EG on RPUFs were added together. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45960.     

Investigation of the influence of red phosphorus,expansible graphite and zinc borate on flame retardancy and wear performance of glass fiber reinforced PA6 composites

The flame retarded materials were prepared which used wear‐resistant PA6 composite (PA6/GF/PTFE/UHMWPE/CG, 85/15/5/5/5 by weight) as matrix, red phosphorus (RP), expansible graphite (EG), and zinc borate (ZB) as fire retardant. The flame retarded properties were characterized by LOI and UL‐94 testing. PA6 composite with 15 wt% RP reached V0 rating and had a high LOI value (27.3 vol%). When a combination of 7 wt% ZB and 8 wt% RP was added, increases in LOI (27.9 vol%) and UL‐94 rating(V0) were both observed. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and char residue characterization showed that the combination of RP and ZB can promote the formation of char barrier, reduce the mass loss rate, and thus improve the flame retardancy of PA6 composites. The wear test showed that, the composite filled by 15 wt% RP or a combination of 7 wt% ZB and 8 wt% RP both possessed a low wear rate and a much stable friction coefficient. The presence of EG could also improve the flame retardance but was harmful to the mechanical property as well as wear performance. The results indicated that ZB and RP had synergy effect on improving both flame retardance and wear performance of PA6 composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2090–2097, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synergistic effects of expandable graphite with magnesium hydroxide on the flame retardancy and thermal properties of polypropylene

In this study, the flammability characterization and synergistic effects of different particle size of expandable graphite (EG) with modified magnesium hydroxide (MH) in flame‐retardant polypropylene (PP) composites were studied by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the particle size of EG had a great effect on the flammability of the PP/MH/EG composites. The EG2 with smaller particle size could apparently increase the LOI value and improved the UL‐94 flammability properties rating of the PP composites. The data obtained from the TGA and FTIR curves indicated that the thermo‐oxidative stability of PP/MH/EG composites increased with decreasing particle size of EG. And the smaller the particle size of EG, the higher the residues of the composite. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1756–1760, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A facile method for preparation of PGS@ZB‐N and gas‐sol alternating synergistic effect for fire resistance of EVA

Through the simple precipitation of palygorskite (PGS) by zinc borate (ZB) (to make PGS@ZB) and the decoration of PGS@ZB by dodecylamine (N), a novel organic‐inorganic@inorganic hybrid flame retardant of PGS@ZB‐N was prepared and was incorporated with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) to improve its flame retardance. The structure and morphology of PGS@ZB‐N were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and it was confirmed that the PGS@ZB‐N hybrid had been successfully prepared. The flame retardancy and burning behavior of EVA/PGS@ZB‐N/EG (EG = expandable graphite) composite were studied through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 (by the vertical burning test), and cone calorimeter test (CCT) characterizations. The prepared EVA/PGS@ZB‐N/EG composite obtained an LOI value of 41.2% with the addition of 30 wt% PGS@ZB‐N/EG. It was found that EVA/PGS@ZB‐N/EG was protected through a gas phase and condensed phase alternating synergistic effect mechanism.     

Synergistic effect of ammonium polyphosphate and expandable graphite on flame‐retardant properties of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene

A new intumescent flame‐retardant (IFR) system consisting of expandable graphite (EG) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was applied in acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) resin. A synergistic effect between EG and APP on the flame retardancy of ABS was observed. Fixing the total loading of flame retardant at 15 wt %, the limited oxygen index (LOI) could reach 31 vol % at a weight ratio of 3 : 1 for EG and APP. While LOI values of EG‐ and APP‐filled ABS were only 26.0 and 21.5 vol % at the same loading, respectively. The UL‐94 vertical burning test suggested that samples with different ratios of EG and APP could all pass V‐0 rating while the samples containing EG and APP alone only passed V‐1 rating. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the addition of EG and APP (3 : 1 by weight) to ABS led to an increase in the amount of high‐temperature residue by 11.8 wt %, and a decrease of mass loss rate by 0.7%/°C compared with pure ABS. Scanning electronic microscopy revealed a homogeneous compact intumescent char layer of ABS/EG/APP samples. Based on our experiment and combined with others' previous studies, the synergistic mechanism is inferred. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

协效剂在ABS/APP/PETA体系中的阻燃协效性

为了提高苯乙烯一丁二烯一丙烯睛(ABS）/聚磷酸铵(APP)/聚对苯二甲酞乙二胺(PETA)膨胀阻燃体系的阻燃性能,将硼酸锌(ZB）、红磷(RP）添加到ABS/ APP/ PETA膨胀阻燃体系中。采用极限氧指数法、垂直燃烧法、热失重、扫描电镜探讨了不同含量协效剂ZB,RP对不同比例ABS/APP/PETA阻燃体系的协效阻燃效应。结果表明,加人协效剂使ABS/APP/PETA体系的阻燃性能得到显著提高;将2.5份(质量份,下同)ZB和4份RP加人到ABS/APP/PETA( 70/22. 5/7. 5)体系,体系的极限氧指数由未加协效剂的30%提高到41%,UL-94测试也达到V-0级;ZB提高了ABS/APP/PETA体系热稳定性和成炭率,RP能极大地促进成炭;加人ZB和RP ,阻燃体系燃烧表面能够形成更多膨胀、致密的炭层。     

Synergism between hydrotalcite and silicate‐modified expandable graphite on ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer combustion behavior

Influence of independent Mg–Al‐layered double hydroxide (LDH), silicate modified expandable graphite (EG), mixture of LDH and EG at various ratios on ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) combustion behavior and thermal stability was detected in sequence through the limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical combustion (UL‐94) level, microscale combustion calorimeter (MCC) tests and thermal gravimetric/differential thermal gravimetric (TG/DTG) analysis. Results show that the 30 wt % LDH can improve the LOI of 70EVA/30LDH to 27.0%, but the combustion accompanies with serious melt‐dropping. While, the same amount of the EG can increase the LOI, UL‐94 level to 28.5%, V‐0 respectively. However, the combination of LDH and EG can further enhance the 70EVA/20LDH/10EG flame retardancy, it presents the LOI of 29.7%, UL‐94 level of V‐0, and total heat release of 29.5 kJ g^?1. The excellent flame retardancy is attributed to its compact residue. Compared with residue mass, the residue compactness plays a more important role in improving flame retardancy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 44634.     

Preparation of expandable graphite via H2O2‐hydrothermal process and its effect on properties of high‐density polyethylene composites

This study presented a new way to prepare expandable graphite (EG), which is one kind of halogen‐free flame retardant using the H₂O₂‐hydrothermal process. Natural graphite was immersed in H₂O₂ and then put in autoclave to proceed the hydrothermal process. The EG was called as H₂O₂‐HEG from the H₂O₂‐hydrothermal process. The results showed that the expanded volume of EG using the H₂O₂‐hydrothermal process was higher than that compared with convectional liquid phase synthesis, ultrasound irradiation, and hydrothermal method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction patterns, scanning electron microscope, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to analyze the structure and confirm that the EG had been prepared. Thermogravimetric analysis presents that H₂O₂‐HEG can improve the thermal stability of composites. The cone calorimeter show that the peak heat release rate (HRR) values of composites decrease dramatically. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of H₂O₂‐HEG composites is higher than that of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/natural flake graphite. HDPE composites are capable of passing the V‐0 classification and have antidripping behavior. LOI, UL‐94, and the cone calorimeter results show that the HDPE/H₂O₂‐HEG composite possess excellent flame retardant property. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Flame‐retardant properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene/wood flour composites filled with expandable graphite and ammonium polyphosphate

Expandable graphite (EG) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) were used to improve the flame retardancy of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene based wood–plastic composites (WPCs). A synergistic effect between EG and APP on the flame retardancy of the WPCs was proposed. The results show that the highest limited oxygen index (LOI) of 34.2% and a V‐0 rating were achieved when the ratio of EG to APP 12.5:7.5; this comprised 20 wt % of the total amount. However, LOI values of the samples with EG and APP alone were only 30.5 and 24.5%, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the flame retardants improved the amount of residue. The EG and EG/APP additives greatly decreased the peak heat release rate and suppressed smoke according to cone calorimetry testing. The scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that the surface of the wormlike char was covered with a granular substance, which may have been the viscous phosphoric acid or poly(phosphoric acid) decomposed from APP. The flame‐retardant additives worsened the mechanical properties of the WPCs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40281.     

Effect of hydrated fillers and red phosphorus on the limiting oxygen index of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl actate)‐poly(vinyl butyral) and low density polyethylene‐poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) blends

The limiting oxygen index (LOI) values of EVA‐PVB and low density polyethylene (LDPE)‐poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) polymer blends containing hydrated filler‐type flame retardants and red phosphorus were measured. When used as the sole flame retardant, magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)₂] and alumina trihydrate (ATH) performed best in EVA and PVB, respectively. Magnesium hydroxide addition had a limited effect on the LOI of plasticized PVB, and addition of red phosphorus made little difference. This result is attributed to a mismatch between the decomposition temperature of Mg(OH)₂ and the temperature at which the PVB plasticizer vaporizes. Otherwise, low‐level addition of red phosphorus significantly improved LOI values. The presence of hydroxyl groups on the polymer backbone had a beneficial effect with respect to LOI values in ATH‐filled blends. An LOI value of 30 was achieved in EVOH with as little as 32% of ATH and 3% of red phosphorus. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers