Flame Retardancy Behaviors of Flexible Polyurethane Foam Based on Reactive Dihydroxy P–N-containing Flame Retardants

Abstract

Green and environment-friendly high-efficiency flame retardants (FRs) are crucial to polymer FR modification. Here, a green FR 2-((bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)methyl)-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinane 2-oxide (HAMPP) was synthesized. The HAMPP was incorporated with a cyclic phosphorus structure, which will readily carbonize to inhibit or prevent further combustion. Moreover, the HAMPP contains dihydroxy reactive groups that can be used as a monomer in the polymerization reaction to obtain the main chain containing phosphorus polymer. Research studies on FRs were based on flexible polyurethane foam (PU-HAMPPs). The limiting oxygen index value of PU foam with 10% HAMPP could reach 23.7%, passing a UL-94 V-0 rating together. With the addition of HAMPP, the peak heat release rate of PU foam decreased significantly, the decomposition temperature increased, the heat release capacity reduced by 31%, and the char yield increased by 42%. The chemical composition and morphology of the char residual have been studied and analyzed thoroughly. We find that HAMPP forms a molten viscous protective layer uniformly on the material surface and releases some incombustible gases. These indicated that the FR exploited both condensed-phase and gas-phase flame retardancy mechanisms. Besides, the addition of FRs improved the mechanical properties.