Study of a novel halogen-free flame retardant system through TGA and structure analysis of polymers

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 112; no. 5; pp. 2669 - 2675
• Main Authors: Jang, Bok Nam, Jung, Inchul, Choi, Jinhwan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 05.06.2009; Wiley
• Subjects: ABS; Applied sciences; char; Compounding ingredients; Exact sciences and technology; Fireproof agents; flame retardant; halogen-free; HIPS; novolac; PET; phosphate; Physical properties; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Properties and testing; Technology of polymers; TGA; Thermic properties and inflammability; Ethylene terephthalate polymer; Property composition relationship; halogen-free; Thermal stability; ABS; Additive; High impact styrene polymer; Reaction mechanism; Styrene polymer; Phenoplasts; Polycarbonate; Diene polymer; Polymer blends; HIPS; Ester polymer; Flame retardant; phosphate; Experimental study; TGA; Thermal properties; Butadiene polymer; Novolac; Flammability; char; PET; Thermal degradation
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.29803

Butadiene-rubber toughened styrene polymers, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer and high impact polystyrene (HIPS), are noncharring polymers. They are generally blended with polycarbonate (PC) or polyphenyleneether (PPE), which are char forming polymers, to improve char forming ability for styrenic blends containing conventional phosphate flame retardants. To achieve cost effective flame retardant system, PET was selected as a potential char-source for ABS blends through the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and chemical structure analysis of various polymers. PET may contribute to the enhancement of flame retardancy of ABS/PET blends, especially in the presence of small amounts of phenol novolac (PN). The effective flame retardancy of this system is believed to be accomplished through the enhancement of interchain reactions by PN.