Flame retardant, definition

One problem associated with discussing flame retardants is the lack of a clear, uniform definition of flammabiHty. Hence, no clear, uniform definition of decreased flammabiHty exists. The latest American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) compilation of fire tests Hsts over one hundred methods for assessing the flammabiHty of materials (2). These range in severity from small-scale measures of the ignitabiHty of a material to actual testing in a full-scale fire. Several of the most common tests used on plastics are summarized in Table 1. 

In Washington State, HB 1024 provides definitions and establishes a process under which the State of Washington can identify, analyze, and approve alternative flame-retardants that could come into use in Washington to replace the use of deca-BDE.100 The Departments of Ecology and Health, as well as a newly created fire safety committee, will have to determine that any proposed alternative flame-retardant is safer and technically feasible and meets applicable fire safety standards as a replacement for deca-BDE in televisions, computers, and domestic upholstered furniture. No prohibition on the use of deca-BDE in these applications can go into effect prior to January 1, 2011, provided suitable alternative flame-retardants are available. The bill places a prohibition on the use of deca-BDE in mattresses beginning January 1, 2008 however, this has no practical impact, since deca-BDE is not actually used in residential mattresses. All uses of deca-BDE not specifically mentioned in the legislation are exempt. 

Application of difiFerential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis techniques to the pyrolysis of cellulose is obviously complicated by the complexity of the reactions involved, and the corrections and simplifying assumptions that are required in calculating the kinetic parameters. Consequently, these methods provide general information, instead of accurate identification and definition of the individual reactions (and their kinetics), which are traditionally conducted under isothermal conditions. The data obtained by dynamic methods are, however, useful for comparing the efiFects of various conditions or treatments on the pyrolysis of cellulose. In this respect, the application of thermal analysis for investigating the effect of salts (and flame retardants in general) on the combustion of cellulosic materials is of special interest and will be discussed later (see p. 467). 

Since PVC is known to be quite miscible with PMMA (miscibility with an LCST behavior) [Jager et al., 1983] and is also low in cost, some blends of PVC and PMMA have been used in sheet extrusion and thermoforming applications. However, the acrylic PVC compositions commercially used are invariably contain an acrylic coreshell rubber (PMMA-g-n-BuA or MBS type) to get high toughness), with some PMMA, to reduce the cost/impact performance balance. The role of PVC in these blends is to reduce cost and impart some degree of flame-retardancy. The acrylics definitely help in the processability of PVC. These blends have already been discussed under PVC heading. 

The Green Screen list of hazards most closely tracks the hazards incorporated into the US ERA Design for Environment (DfE) Program s summary assessment of alternatives to the brominated flame retardant, pentaBDE. Table 2 lists the hazards included in both the US ERA DfE program s summary assessment of pentaBDE alternatives and the Green Screen. For definitions of the hazards in Table 2 see Appendix 1. 

Unless otherwise noted, all definitions from US Environmental Protection Agency, Design for the Environment. 2005. Environmental Profiles of Chemical Flame-Retardant Alternatives for Low-Density Polyurethane Foam (http //www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/flameret/ffr-alt.htm—accessed January 11,2007). 

Because of the relative character of the term fire resistance , the term flame retardancy is often preferred and although there are no absolute definitions of each of these terms, a glossary of related terminology has recently been published. ... 

Definition Generic name for class of highly aromatic polyamide fibers which are characterized by flame retardant properties Uses Flame retardant protective clothing for military pilots, firefighters, etc. dust-filter bags tire cord bullet-resistant structures business machine components belts hoses ... 

Uses Flame retardant for epoxy resins, adhesives, coatings, and textiles Trade Name Synonyms Great Lakes NH-1197 [Great Lakes http //www.greatiakeschem.com] Pentaerythrityl ricinoleate Synonyms Pentaerythrityl monoricinoleate Definition Ester of pentaerythritol and ricinoleic acid... 

Phosphorus is believed to act mainly as a char promoter. Therefore, a fraction of the fuel is trapped in the condensed phase and the total heat release (THR) is lowered. ° The decrease of the peak of the heat release rate (pHRR) in the PCFC is quite often accompanied by other minor peaks and/or by a decrease of the peak temperature. Therefore the PCFC results do not bring a definite conclusion about flame retardancy improvement. 

There are certain ingredients that definitely increase flame retardance organic phosphorus, organic bromine, organie chlorine, antimony oxide as synergist for the halogens, and water of hydration. 

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