Flame resist antimony oxide

Antimony Oxide. The effect of antimony trioxide on the oxygen index of flexible poly(vinyl chloride) containing from 20 to 50 parts of plasticizer is shown in Figure 2. The flame resistance as measured by the oxygen index increases with the addition of antimony oxide until the oxygen index appears to reach a maximum at about 8 parts of Sb202. Further addition of antimony oxide does not have any increased beneficial effect. 

Zinc Borate. Zinc borate is also effective in enhancing the flame-inhibiting powers of chlorine. Although zinc borate increases flame resistance, it is not as effective as antimony oxide, as is illustrated in Figure 3. However, zinc borate can be used in combination with antimony oxide to obtain equivalent and in some instances enhanced effects over what can be obtained using either of the two synergists alone (Table 9). 

Molybdenum Oxide. Molybdenum compounds incorporated into flexible PVC not only increase flame resistance, but also decrease smoke evolution. In Table 10 the effect of molybdenum oxide on the oxygen index of a flexible PVC containing 50 parts of a plasticizer is compared with antimony oxide. Antimony oxide is the superior synergist for flame retardancy but has Httle or no effect on smoke evolution. However, combinations of molybdenum oxide and antimony oxide may be used to reduce the total inorganic flame-retardant additive package, and obtain improved flame resistance and reduced smoke. 

Miscellaneous. Flame-resistant cross-linked polyethylene can be made with a number of fluoroborates and antimony oxide. This self-extinguishing material may contain the fluoroborates of NH, Na", K", Ca ", Mg ", Sr ", or Ba " in amounts of 4—20% (76). Magnesium fluoroborate cataly2es the epoxy treatment of cotton fabrics for permanent-press finishes (77) (see Textiles). 

In volume terms the most important class of fire retardants are the phosphates. Tritolyl phosphate and trixylyl phosphate are widely used plasticisers which more or less maintain the fire-retarding characteristics of PVC (unlike the phthalates, which reduce the flame resistance of PVC products). Better results are, however, sometimes obtained using halophosphates such as tri(chloroethyl) phosphate, particularly when used in conjunction with antimony oxide, triphenyl stibine or antimony oxychloride. 

Flame resistance A1203, antimony oxides, boron compounds, halogen compounds, phosphate esters, metal hydrates, magnesium compounds, tin compounds, molybdenum compounds, silicones Al, B, Br, Cl, Mo, P, Sb, Si, Sn, Zn... 

The principles needed to design a polymer of low flammability are reasonably well understood and have been systematized by Van Krevelen (5). A number of methods have been found for modifying the structure of an inherently flammable polymer to make it respond better to conventional flame retardant systems. For example, extensive work by Pearce et al. at Polytechnic (38, 39) has demonstrated that incorporation of certain ring systems such as phthalide or fluorenone structures into a polymer can greatly increase char and thus flame resistance. Pearce, et al. also showed that increased char formation from polystyrene could be achieved by the introduction of chloromethyl groups on the aromatic rings, along with the addition of antimony oxide or zinc oxide to provide a latent Friedel-Crafts catalyst. 

The resistance of polymers to flame may be increased by the addition of halogenated compounds and antimony oxide. Organic phosphate additives inhibit the glow of the char formed in burning polymers. Polymers with chlorine pendant groups, such as PVC, and those with halogen-substituted phenyl groups, such as polyesters produced from tetrabromophthalic anhydride, are more flame-resistant than hydrocarbon polymers. 

Poly (vinyl chloride). PVC is a hard, brittle polymer that is self-extinguishing. In order to make PVC useful and more pliable, plaslict/ers I qv) are added. More often than not the plasticizers are flammable and make Ihe formulation less flame-resistant. The Maine resistance of the polyf vinyl chloride) can he increased by ihe addition of an inorganic llamc-rctardunl synergist, e.g., antimony oxide, mixed metal antimony synergists, zinc borate, molybdenum oxide, zinc stannates. and alumina trihydrale. 

Antimony oxide, various pigments, and chlorinated paraffin or rubber, etc., blended to form a coating. This type of coating has only fair fire and flame resistance. 

Some nonreactive diluents have been used to impart special properties on the cured epoxy in addition to lowering the viscosity of the uncured system. For example, chlorinated diluents have been used with antimony oxide to impart flame resistance to cured epoxy systems. A typical formulation of this type based on DGEBA employs about 15 pph chlorinated... 

Hahgenated polymers, both brominated and chlorinated, have been developed to yield better polymer compatibility, improve physical properties, and long-term-aging characteristics in many thermoplastic resins, particularly the high-performance engineering thermoplastics, such as nylon, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These materials still use antimony oxide as a synergist to achieve the desired flame resistance (31). 

Manufacturers of various fillers continue studies on altemative systems. Most antimony oxide used as a fire retardant can be replaced by a combination of zinc borate without the loss of other properties (in some cases improvements are reported). Another option is to use the same filler systems which are used in polyethylene insulated cables and wires. These are based on magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide. These systems pcrfoim as flame retardants but require a high filler concentration which affects jacket resistance and mechanical performance. Recently, new coated grades have been developed which can be used at up to 65 wt% without the loss of properties or productivity (extrusion rates 2,500 m/min of cable are possible). ... 

Elastomers. Many applications of rubbers such as tires, gaskets, and washers normally do not require flame resistance. When improvement in flammability is required, it can be achieved by the addition of halogen-containing materials, phosphorus compounds, oxides of antimony, and combinations of these materials. Rubbers containing chlorine and silicon atoms, for example. Neoprene and Silicone, have self-extinguishing properties. Rogers and Fruzzetti (10) described the flame retardance of elastomers. 

The additives used in PVC in the largest amounts are plasticizers, but one detrimental effect of these additives is an increase in flammability. Rigid PVC, which contains little plasticizer, is quite flame-resistant because of its high chloride content. However, as more plasticizer is added for flexibility, the flammability increases to the point where fire retardants must be added, the most common being antimony(III) oxide (SbiOa). As the PVC is heated, this oxide forms antimony(III) chloride (SbCla), which migrates into the flame, where it inhibits the burning process. Because antimony(III) oxide is a white salt, it cannot be used for transparent or darkly colored PVC. In these cases sodium antimonate (Na3Sb04), a transparent salt, is used. 

Reasons for use abrasion resistance, cost reduction, electric conductivity (metal fibers, carbon fibers, carbon black), EMI shielding (metal and carbon fibers), electric resistivity (mica), flame retarding properties (aluminum hydroxide, antimony trioxide, magnesium hydroxide), impact resistance improvement (small particle size calcium carbonate), improvement of radiation stability (zeolite), increase of density, increase of flexural modulus, impact strength, and stiffness (talc), nucleating agent for bubble formation, permeability (mica), smoke suppression (magnesium hydroxide), thermal stabilization (calcium carbonate), wear resistance (aluminum oxide, silica carbide, wollastonite)... 

Traditionally, Zirpro -finished wool meets the above requirements and decabro-modiphenyl ether/antimony oxide-acrylic resin-fmished cotton fabrics (originally marketed as Caliban, White Chemical) have also been found to be suitable for workers in the aluminium industry. However, as discussed in Chapter 8, this latter finish is currently being withdrawn on environmental grounds and this whole area has recently been reviewed by Makinen, who lists more recent fabrics based on a variety of blends with flame retardant wool, viscose, and inherently flame retardant aramid fibres, for example. However, these factors are all different for molten iron or steel, copper, tin, lead, zinc, or aluminium and so protective aprons and overalls have to be tailored to fit the threat. Examples listed by Makinen for molten aluminium resistance include ... 

In certain apphcations, flame resistance can be important. In this case, flame retarders may he added. They act hy one of four possible mechanisms. They may act to chemically interfere with the propagation of flame, react or decompose to absorb heaL form a fire resistant coating on the polymer, or produce gases that reduce the supply of air. Phosphates are an important class of flame retarders. Tritolyl phosphate and trixylyl phosphate are often used in PVC. Halogenated compounds such as chlorinated paraffins may also be used. Antimony oxide is often used in conjunction to obtain better results. Other flame retarders include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, zinc borate, and red phosphorus. As with other additives, the proper selection of a flame retarder will depend on the particular thermoplastic. 

Fillers and additives are specifically added to enhance the specific performance, reduce cost, change viscosity or improve processibility of resin systems (Owens Coming, 2003). Dry fillers usually make up the largest proportion (up to 50 wt%) of a resin formulation. Commonly used fillers in pul-trusion include calcium carbonate as a volume extender, alumina silicate or clay to build corrosion resistance and electrical insulation, and alumina trihydrate for better fiame or smoke retardation and electrical arc resistance. Additives are meant to tailor specific performance or properties. These typically include initiators to influence resin curing, mould release compounds such as metallic stearates or organic phosphate ester, antimony oxide for flame retardance, pigments for coloration and agents for surface smoothness and crack suppression. 

A fast wet-out, non-draining resin offering excellent cure in thin sections and designed for hand-lay or spray/projection lamination in the manufacture of flame resistant laminates (e.g. VE1 VE2 when tested by UL 94 Vertical Burning Test or Class II, E-84 Tunnel Test - Class I with the addition of 3 - 5% antimony oxide). 

Papers with fire-resistant properties are used for wallpaper, decoration paper, Chi-nese/Japanese lamps and partition walls. Flame retardants are added either at the wet end or by surface treatment in the paper production process. They either release incombustible gases on heating, which prevent the entry of atmospheric oxygen, or when heated produce a nonflammable melt that surrounds the paper. Chemicals for this purpose include calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, diammonium ethyl phosphate, and mixtures of zinc borates, antimony oxides, and organic haloid salts as well as inorganic bromides and oxybromides. 

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