Flame Retardancy and Mechanical Properties of Melt-Spun PA66 Fibers Prepared by End-Group Blocking Technology

Abstract

Preparing flame-retardant polyamide 66 (PA66) fibers through melt spinning remains one of the biggest challenges nowadays. In this work, dipentaerythritol (Di-PE), an eco-friendly flame retardant, was blended into PA66 to prepare PA66/Di-PE composites and fibers. It was confirmed that Di-PE could significantly improve the flame-retardant properties of PA66 by blocking the terminal carboxyl groups, which was conducive to the formation of a continuous and compact char layer and the reduced production of combustible gas. The combustion results of the composites showed that the limiting oxygen index (LOI) increased from 23.5% to 29.4%, and underwriter laboratories 94 (UL-94) passed the V-0 grade. The peak of heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), and total smoke production (TSP) decreased by 47.3%, 47.8%, and 44.8%, respectively, for the PA66/6 wt% Di-PE composite compared to those recorded for pure PA66. More importantly, the PA66/Di-PE composites possessed excellent spinnability. The prepared fibers still had good mechanical properties (tensile strength: 5.7 ± 0.2 cN/dtex), while maintaining good flame-retardant properties (LOI: 28.6%). This study provides an outstanding industrial production strategy for fabricating flame-retardant PA66 plastics and fibers.