Flame retardancy of some ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer-based formulations

• Published in: Fire and materials Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 159 - 164
• Main Authors: Zilberman, J., Hull, T. R., Price, D., Milnes, G.J., Keen, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.05.2000; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building technical equipments; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; ethylene vinyl acetate; Exact sciences and technology; Fire behavior of materials and structures; Fire protection; Thermal decomposition; Reaction product; Mass loss; Flame retardant; Combustion; Experimental study; Heat liberation; Vinyl acetate copolymer; Smoke emission; Char; Ethylene copolymer; Calorimetry; Melamine resin; Fire safety
• ISSN: 0308-0501; 1099-1018
• DOI: 10.1002/1099-1018(200005/06)24:3<159::AID-FAM734>3.0.CO;2-D

The combustion behaviour and thermal decomposition of ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) (26 wt% vinyl acetate content) formulations containing alumina trihydrate, ammonium polyphosphate, melamine, pentaerythritol and their co‐mixtures, were studied using cone calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Formulations containing ammonium polyphosphate burned with the formation of intumescent carbonaceous chars, with EVA acting as a carbonization agent. EVA materials containing ammonium polyphosphate (20 wt%), with a sufficient amount of alumina trihydrate or melamine, were superior to the non‐intumescent alumina trihydrate and melamine containing formulations in terms of the heat release rate, mass loss rate and smoke production. Melamine showed some smoke suppressant effect and significant CO reducing properties. However, the melamine–EVA and melamine–alumina trihydrate–EVA showed a very high heat release rate. Thermogravimetric studies showed that oxygen played a favourable role in enhancing the char formation by encouraging active participation of the polymer matrix in the interaction with polyphosphoric acid. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.