Intumescence: An effect way to flame retardance and smoke suppression for polystryene

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 97; no. 8; pp. 1423 - 1431
• Main Authors: Yan, Yuan-Wei, Chen, Li, Jian, Rong-Kun, Kong, Shuang, Wang, Yu-Zhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: ammonium polyphosphates; Applied sciences; Biomedical materials; calorimeters; carbon monoxide; carbonization; Cone calorimeters; Cone calorimetry; Degradation; Exact sciences and technology; Flame retardance; heat; Intumescence; Modulus of rupture in bending; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polystyrene; Polystyrene resins; polystyrenes; Smoke; Smoke inhibition; Surgical implants; synergism; Technology of polymers; tensile strength; Thermal degradation; Smoke inhibition; Intumescence; Cone calorimetry; Polystyrene; Flame retardance; Mechanical properties; Flame retardant; Polymer; Composite material; Mechanism; Tensile strength; Bending strength; Additive; Ammonium Polyphosphates; Styrene polymer; Thermal degradation
• ISSN: 0141-3910; 1873-2321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2012.05.013

An intumescent flame-retardant (IFR) system, which was comprised of a novel carbonization agent (CA) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP), was prepared for general purpose polystyrene. Thermal degradation and flame retardance of the PS/IFR composites were studied. The results of LOI and UL-94 test showed that when the content of APP and CA was 22.5 and 7.5 wt%, respectively, the LOI value of PS/IFR composite was 32.5%, and a V-0 classification could be achieved. The TGA data indicated that there was a synergistic effect between CA and APP. The cone calorimeter data showed that the heat release rate (HRR), the total heat release (THR) and the mass loss rate (MLR) were reduced largely with the addition of IFR. Some cone calorimeter data, such as smoke production rate (SPR), total smoke production (TSP) and carbon monoxide production (COP), revealed that the IFR could greatly suppress the generation of the smoke during the material flaming. The study on the flame-retardant mechanism of IFR indicated that a steady structure containing P–O–C was formed due to the reaction between APP and CA. The mechanical properties of PS and PS/APP/CA3:1 were also investigated, and the results showed that, compared to those of the neat PS, the tensile strength and the flexural strength of the PS/IFR composite decreased to a certain extent.