Mechanical properties intumescent systems

Tang et al.84,85 also examined the incorporation of MMT in intumescent PP with a compatibilizer (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide) which is usually used as surfactant for making OMMT. Evidence of making a nanocomposite is shown with and without the intumescent system. Cone calorimetry shows a large improvement in the flammability properties when using OMMT. The results are similar to what we showed above. They postulated a mechanism of action suggesting the formation of an aluminophosphate structure but no evidence was given. 

An extensive study was conducted on the effect of chemical and structural aspects of zeolites on the fire performance of the intumescent system, ammonium polyphosphate-pentaerythritol (APP-PER), where a marked improvement of the fire-retardant properties within different polymeric matrices has been observed.56 58 The synergistic mechanism of zeolite 4A with the intumescent materials was investigated using solid-state NMR. Chemical analysis combined with cross-polarization dipolar-decoupled magic-angle spinning NMR revealed that the materials resulting from the thermal treatment of the APP-PER and APP-PER/4A systems were formed by carbonaceous and phosphocarbonaceous species, and that the zeolite enhances the stability of the phosphocarbonaceous species. 

Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, usually known as EVA, are used in many applications, but especially for low voltage cables. These polymers are easily flammable and flame retardants are added to reduce their flammability. The classic solution is to incorporate aluminium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide that develop endothermic reactions when heated. Nevertheless, large amounts have to be incorporated, often around 60% and this can lead to a loss of mechanical properties in the compound. Intumescent technology that works well with polypropylene has also been tried for EVA polymer systems. 

APP and APP-based systems are very effident halogen-free flame retardants mainly used in polyolefins (PE, PP), epoxies, polyurethanes, unsaturated polyesters, phenolic resins, and others. APP is a nontoxic, environment friendly material and it does not generate additional quantities of smoke due to intumescence. Compared to other halogen-free systems, APP requires lower loadings. In thermoplastic formulations, APP exhibits good processability, retention of good mechanical properties. 

In this section we have demonshated that intumescent systems provide efficient fire retardant properties to polymeric materials, both in bulk and as a coating. The mechanisms of action have been discussed and we have seen that the chemistry of such systems offers some flexibility in the synthesis of the char (e.g., potential reactivity of phosphates and oxidized functions). We can then expect to enhance the performance of the intumescent char by the addition of other reactive compounds in the formulation, which is the purpose of the next section. 

In this chapter we considered recent developments that have tried to increase the efficiency of infumescent system for polymeric materials using nanofillers, including organo-modified clays, layered double hydroxides, polyhedral silsesquioxane, and nanoparticles of silica as synergists. Intumescent nanocomposites exhibit superior flammability properties as well as enhancing properties, such as mechanical properties. 

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