Maze running into intumescence: mechanistic aspects in polypropylene

Serge Bourbigot,Fabienne Samyn,Johan Sarazin,Maude Jimenez

doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1107/3/032001

Abstract

The concept of intumescence was applied to make flame retarded polypropylene (PP). This paper examines two types of intumescence in PP) based on expandable graphite (EG, physical expansion) and on modified ammonium polyphosphate (AP760, chemical expansion). Reaction to fire of PP containing EG and AP760 was first evaluated by cone calorimetry. The incorporation of intumescent additives at relatively low loading (10 wt%) in PP permits the reduction by 70% of pHRR. The mode of action occurs via the formation of an expanded carbonaceous layer in all cases. The protective coating acts mainly as heat barrier in the case of the formulations containing AP760 or as heat dissipater with EG. The incorporation of small amount of EG in PP-AP760 modifies heat transfer in the coating creating a strong anisotropy. Upon expansion graphite worms align normal to the surface increasing the transverse heat conductivity (lower efficiency of the heat barrier) and hence, decreasing the fire performance (decrease by only 30% of pHRR). Kinetic analysis was then performed to quantify the thermal stability of the intumescent systems. It reveals that the intumescent additives do not modify the reactional scheme of the PP thermal decomposition but they increase slightly the thermal stability of the intumescent systems.

Highlights

The word “intumescence” comes from Latin ‘intumescere’, which means ‘to swell up’
Except for the formulation containing 1 wt% Expandable graphite (EG), the intumescent PPs exhibit peaks of heat release rate, which are decreased by about 70%
The formulation containing 1 wt% EG exhibits a peaks of heat release rate (pHRR) only decreased by 30%

Summary

Introduction

The word “intumescence” comes from Latin ‘intumescere’, which means ‘to swell up’. From the dictionary, intumescence is defined as the act or process of swelling or enlarging. When heating beyond a critical temperature, an intumescent material begins to swell and to expand. The result of this process is a foamed cellular charred layer on the surface, which protects the underlying material from the action of the heat flux or the flame.

Results

Conclusion