Flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant properties of zinc borate and aluminum trihydrate-filled rigid PVC

Abstract

The effects of zinc borate (ZB), aluminum trihydrate (ATH), and their mixture on the flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as well as their mechanism for flame retardancy and smoke suppression were studied through the limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, smoke density test, TGA, GC–MS, and SEM. The results show that incorporation of a small amount of ZB, ATH, and their mixture can greatly increase the LOI of PVC and reduce the smoke density of PVC during combustion. The mixture of ZB with ATH has a good synergistic effect on the flame retardance and smoke suppression of PVC. TGA and GC–MS analyses results show that incorporation of a small amount of ZB, ATH, and their mixture greatly promotes the char formation of PVC and decreases the amount of hazardous gases such as benzene and toluene released in PVC during combustion. Their mechanism is also proposed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 3119–3127, 2000