Abstract
The latest techniques used to prove, describe and analyze the gas phase activity of a fire retardant used in polymeric materials are briefly reviewed. Classical techniques, such as thermogravimetric analysis or microscale combustion calorimetry, as well as complex and advanced analytical techniques, such as modified microscale combustion calorimeter (MCC), molecular beam mass spectroscopy and vacuum ultra violet (VUV) photoionization spectroscopy coupled with time of flight MS (TOF-MS), are described in this review. The recent advances in analytical techniques help not only in determining the gas phase activity of the flame-retardants but also identify possible reactive species responsible for gas phase flame inhibition. The complete understanding of the decomposition pathways and the flame retardant activity of a flame retardant system is essential for the development of new eco-friendly-tailored flame retardant molecules with high flame retardant efficiency.
Highlights
In the last decade a major increase in fire protection requirements of polymeric products has led to the development of new flame-retardants
Molecular beam mass spectroscopy and other optical diagnostic techniques have been used for years to study the combustion chemistry and were found useful tool in fire retardant chemistry
This facilitates the delivery of phosphorus-based flame-retardant, which has a high level of gas-phase activity as concluded by Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometry (MBMS) measurement
Summary
In the last decade a major increase in fire protection requirements of polymeric products has led to the development of new flame-retardants. There is an increasing need to identify the transient species produced during a fire, in particular, the gas phase radical reactive species [3,11,20,21] Another aspect of interest is the toxicity related to volatiles released during the thermal decomposition of these additives and polymers matrix. The reported gas phase active species of some new flame retardant systems are summarized These techniques facilitate understanding of the decomposition pathways of flame-retardants. Combination of different techniques can lead to the complete understanding of the activity of flame-retardants in real fire conditions. This understanding can be correlated with the positive results in various fire tests [24]
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