The effect of red phosphorus on the fire properties of intumescent pine wood flour – LDPE composites

Abstract

SummaryRed phosphorus (RP) was used to improve the fire performance of wood flour – low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites containing ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The fire performance of LDPE‐based composites was investigated by using limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 standard, thermogravimetric analysis, and cone calorimeter. The addition of 30 wt% APP increased the LOI value from 17.5 to 24.2 and still burned to clamp (BC) in UL‐94 test. The RP showed beneficial effect when combinedly used with APP. The maximum beneficial effect was seen at ratio of 5:1 (APP : RP) with the highest LOI value of 27.2 and UL‐94 rating of V0. RP showed its beneficial effect via increasing the gas phase action of the flame retardant system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.