Combustion characteristics of halogen‐free flame‐retarded polyethylene containing magnesium hydroxide and some synergists

TLDR

The authors prepared halogen‑free flame‑retarded polyethylene by combining magnesium hydroxide with red phosphorous and expandable graphite, and evaluated combustion behavior using LOI, rate of heat release, and specific extinction area measurements. RP and EG act as effective synergists that enhance flame retardancy, while adding ethylene‑vinyl acetate copolymer raises LOI and promotes char formation without altering heat release or extinction area. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., J Appl Polym Sci 81: 206–214.

Abstract

Abstract Halogen‐free flame‐retarded polyethylene materials have been prepared by using magnesium hydroxide (MH) as a flame retardant combined with red phosphorous (RP) and expandable graphite (EG) as synergists. The effects of these additives on the combustion behavior of the filled linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), such as a limiting oxygen index (LOI), the rate of heat release (RHR), the specific extinction area (SEA), etc., have been studied by the LOI determination and the cone calorimeter test. The results show that RP and EG are good synergists for improving the flame retardancy of LLDPE/MH formulations. In addition, a suitable amount of ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) added in the formulations can increase the LOI values while promoting the char formation and showing almost no effect on the RHR and SEA values. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 206–214, 2001