Regulating the Localization of Intumescent Flame Retardant for Improving the Flame Retardancy of Ethylene-vinyl Acetate Copolymer Using Polyamide 6 as a Charring Agent

Abstract

Polyamide 6 (PA6) was employed as a charring agent of intumescent flame retardant (IFR) to improve the flame retardancy of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). Different processing procedures were used to regulate the localization of IFR in the EVA matrix. Localizations in which IFR was dispersed in the PA6 phase or in the EVA phase were prepared. The effect of the localization of IFR on the flame retardancy of EVA was investigated. The limited oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning (UL 94) and cone calorimeter test (CCT) showed that the localization of IFR in the EVA matrix exhibited a remarkable influence on the flame retardancy. Compared with EVA/IFR, a weak improvement in the flame retardancy was observed in the EVA/PA6/IFR blend with the localization of IFR in the PA6 phase. When IFR was regulated from the PA6 phase to the EVA matrix, a remarkable increase in the flame retardancy was exhibited. The LOI was increased from 27.8% to 32.7%, and the UL 94 vertical rating was increased from V-2 to V-0. Moreover, an approximately 41.36% decrease in the peak heat release rate was exhibited. A continuous and compact intumescent charring layer that formed in the blends with the localization of IFR in the EVA matrix should be responsible for its excellent flame retardancy.

Keywords

intumescent flame retardant / charring agent / localization / polyamide 6 / ethylene vinyl acetate

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