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Combustion characteristics and synergistic effects of red phosphorus masterbatch with expandable graphite in the flame retardant HDPE/EVA composites
Author(s) -
Tang Mengqi,
Chen Man,
Xu Yang,
Chen Xiaolang,
Sun Zhidan,
Zhang Zhibin
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.24180
Subject(s) - masterbatch , limiting oxygen index , materials science , fire retardant , high density polyethylene , thermogravimetric analysis , cone calorimeter , composite material , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , ethylene vinyl acetate , polyethylene , flammability , nanocomposite , combustion , polymer , copolymer , chemical engineering , char , organic chemistry , chemistry , engineering
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