Flame retardancy and its mechanism of polymers flame retarded by DBDPE/Sb₂O₃

Abstract

The flammability characterization and thermal composition of polymers flame retarded by decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) and antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) were studied by cone calorimeter and thermogravimetry (TG). The results show that ABS/DBDPE/Sb₂O₃ has the similar flammability parameters and thermal composition curves to ABS/DBDPO/Sb₂O₃. It suggests that DBDPE/Sb₂O₃ has the similar flame retardant behavior to DBDPO/Sb₂O₃. The heat release rate (HRR) and the effect heat combustion (EHC) curves of polymers flame retarded by DBDPE/Sb₂O₃ all decrease, but the mass loss rate (MLR) curve slightly increase. It shows that the decrease of HRR is not due to the increase of char formation ratio but the generation of incombustible gases. The major flame retardant mechanism of DBDPE/Sb₂O₃ is gas phase flame retardant mechanism. Increasing content of Sb₂O₃ in DBDPE/Sb₂O₃ can improve the flame retardant property and thermal stability of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Sb₂O₃ has a good synergistic effect with DBDPE.

Keywords

decabromodiphenylethan (DBDPE) / thermogravimetry / gas phase flame retarding

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