Preparation and study of intumescent flame retardant poly(butylene succinate) using MgAlZnFe‐CO3 layered double hydroxide as a synergistic agent

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntumescent flame retardant consisting of ammonium polyphosphate and melamine, and MgAlZnFe‐CO3 layered double hydroxides (LDHs) prepared by the constant pH coprecipitation method, were added to poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) via melt blending to obtain novel intumescent flame retardant poly(butylene succinate) (IFR‐PBS) composites. A study on the effect of MgAlZnFe‐CO3 LDHs on the mechanical, thermal, and flame retardancy properties of IFR‐PBS composites was investigated. It was revealed that IFR‐PBS composites exhibited both excellent flame retardancy and antidripping properties when the content of MgAlZnFe‐CO3 LDHs was 1% (the total loading of flame retardant was 20%), for a goal of vertical flammability (UL‐94) V‐0 rate and a limiting oxygen index value of 35. The results showed that a suitable amount of MgAlZnFe‐CO3 LDHs had a noticeable synergistic effect on IFR‐PBS composites. Importantly, tensile strength and flexural strength were improved by the presence of MgAlZnFe‐CO3 LDHs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40736.