Thermoplastics flammability

To further explore the influence of silica material properties (morphology, surface area, silanol concentration, and surface treatment) on the silica flame-retardant properties, various types of silicas (silica gel, fumed silicas, and fused silica) were investigated.50 51 Material properties of the various silicas are summarized in Table 8.6. These different types of silicas were added to polypropylene and polyethylene oxide to determine their flame-retardant effectiveness and mechanisms. Polypropylene was chosen as a non-char-forming thermoplastic, and polyethylene oxide was chosen as a polar slightly char-forming thermoplastic. Flammability properties were measured in the cone calorimeter and the mass loss rate was measured in the radiative gasification device in nitrogen to exclude any gas phase oxidation reactions. 

Thermoplastic Fibers. The thermoplastic fibers, eg, polyester and nylon, are considered less flammable than natural fibers. They possess a relatively low melting point furthermore, the melt drips rather than remaining to propagate the flame when the source of ignition is removed. Most common synthetic fibers have low melting points. Reported values for polyester and nylon are 255—290°C and 210—260°C, respectively. 

The binder system of a plastic encapsulant consists of an epoxy resin, a hardener or curing agent, and an accelerating catalyst system. The conversion of epoxies from the Hquid (thermoplastic) state to tough, hard, thermoset soHds is accompHshed by the addition of chemically active compounds known as curing agents. Flame retardants (qv), usually in the form of halogens, are added to the epoxy resin backbone because epoxy resins are inherently flammable. 

Udel is a slightly yellow but tianspaient engineering thermoplastic. It has low flammability and smoke emission and good electrical properties. It has excellent resistance to water, steam, and alkaline solutions. Specific uses for Udel iaclude microwave cookware, beverage dispensers, coffee brewers, cookware, hair dryers, com poppers, and steam table trays. Its steam resistance makes it particularly fit for a dishwasher environment. Properties of polysulfone resias ate given ia Table 11. 

Thermosets and thermoplastics behave differently from each other in fires. Thermosets do not melt when heated but may well undergo further crosslinking. The presence of such additional crosslinks hinders movement of any volatile degradation products through the polymer matrix. Hence the combustion zone tends to be starved of fuel and for this reason thermosets tend to be relatively non-flammable. 

For thermoplastic composites, results of flammability tests are generally reported on the basis of oxygen index values and/or UL-94 ratings (e.g. (11-12). The general problems associated with composites and multicomponent systems have not been addressed in depth and published data pertain primarily to specific glass-filled resins offered by manufacturers, or to composite systems designed to meet the specifications of a particular end use. 

In summary, new brominated flame retardants have essentially met the challenge for thermoplastics that do not meet current requirements (e.g. a V-0 rating) without additives. More stringent flammability requirements for advanced materials and applications, coupled with improved test methodology (e.g. lOa-b) may shift the focus of research to other approaches. 

Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic and is often marketed under trade-names such as Lexan or Tuffak. It should not be confused with acrylic plastics, marketed under tradenames such as Plexiglas or Lucite, which are flammable and exhibit a brittle failure mode. 

Polyester polyols, 25 464 468 Polyester resin(s), 11 302 coating resins, 7 104-106 cyclopentadiene and dicyclopentadiene applications, 8 230 flammability of, 20 115-116 properties in powder coating, 7 43t standard test methods for, 20 11 It unreinforced, 10 187t weathering of, 20 116 Polyester resin-based powder coatings, organic titanium compounds in, 25 125 Polyester resin composites, 26 762-763 Polyester resin formulations ingredients of, 20 96t unsaturated, 15 511-512 Polyesters, 10 185-189, 497 12 655-656. See also Thermoplastic polyesters Unsaturated polyesters acid resistance of, 20 7-8 antioxidant applications, 3 121 aromatic ionic, 23 722 based on 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 12 674-675... 

PMMA is handicapped by a low impact resistance, limited heat behaviour (except for the acrylic imides), inherent flammability, sensitivity to environmental stress cracking in the presence of certain chemicals, chemical attack by certain current solvents. For some grades, processing can be more difficult than for some other current thermoplastics. 

Flammability. Presence of chlorine, fluorine, bromine, or phosphorous in a polymer reduces flammability. Thermosets are more flame-resistant than thermoplastics. 

Another limitation of thermoplastics is their inherent flammability. Where this is important, it has traditionally been overcome by the use of very efficient hal-... 

It is self evident that mineral fillers need to be stable at the temperatures (up to 350 °C) experienced in processing thermoplastics. Most fillers are stable to much higher temperatures and so this is not usually an issue. However, it is a very important topic for flame retardant fillers which function by decomposing endothermically with the release of inert gasses. To be effective, this decomposition must occur near to the temperature at which the polymer begins to decompose and release flammable volatiles. This is usually not too much above the processing temperature in the case of thermoplastics and hence the exact temperature at which decomposition commences is of great importance. The size and position of the endotherm and the rate at which the inert gas is released are also of importance to the flame retardant effect itself [23]. 

Because of the ease of formation of these flammable pyrolysis products, polyesters have LOI values of 20-22 vol% (see Table 2.4), and hence, burn readily and because of the styrene content, give heavy soot formation. As these resins are cured at room temperature, bromine-containing flame retardants, which would decompose in melt-processed, thermoplastic polymers, may be effectively used. 

The predominant mode of action of phosphorus-containing flame retardants (both additives and reactives), when present in thermoplastics or thermosets, is considered to be in the condensed phase. Generally, as with cellulose, flammable gas generation is reduced and char formation is promoted. In some cases, the char cohesiveness is also enhanced. The retention of phosphorus in the chars in... 

The above thermal analysis studies demonstrated the enhanced thermal stability of POSS materials, and suggested that there is potential to improve the flammability properties of polymers when compounded with these macromers. In a typical example of their application as flame retardants, a U.S. patent39 described the use of preceramic materials, namely, polycarbosilanes (PCS), polysilanes (PS), polysilsesquioxane (PSS) resins, and POSS (structures are shown in Figure 8.6) to improve the flammability properties of thermoplastic polymers such as, polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomers such as Kraton (polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene, SBS) and Pebax (polyether block-polyamide copolymer). 

Myers et al. reported that partially dehydrated APB is an effective intumescent flame retardant in thermoplastic polyurethane.77 APB at 5-10 phr loading in TPU can provide 7- to 10-fold improvement in burn-through test. It is believed that in the temperature range of 230°C-450°C, the dehydrated APB and its released boric oxide/boric acid may react with the diol and/or isocyanate, the decomposed fragments from TPU, to produce a highly cross-linked borate ester and possibly boron-nitrogen polymer that can reduce the rate of formation of flammable volatiles and result in intumescent char. 

---