Thermal-mechanical properties of PVC flame retarded alloys

Several segments of the plastics conversion industry are concerned with meeting critical functional and performance demands. Relevant concerns include flame spread, smoke generation, and toxicity. In recent decades, the transportation and electrical/electronics industries have consumed tremendous quantities of polymeric materials. Many of these plastics have been extensively modified to meet flammability criteria, processability demands, and other functional requirements. Aircraft and electronics applications of these materials include printed circuit boards, electrical connectors, wiring, wire harnesses, and aircraft cabin flooring, ceiling, paneling, carpeting, and cargo storage bins. The traditional mechanism for imparting flame retarding properties is to incorporate external additives, which alter burning characteristics, but at the expense of functional properties. An alternate solution to flame retarding that has gained much attention in recent years is the alloying, or blending, of flammable polymers with inherently flame retarded polymers. ASTM protocol has established dynamic mechanical testing (DMT) techniques to evaluate the rheological properties of such materials. This paper exhibits how DMT can be used to monitor the solid properties of various flame retarded alloys.