Thermal degradation and flame retardancy of flexible polyurethane foams modified with borax

Abstract

The main work of this thesis is to study and discuss flame retardant properties of the flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) added with borax as flame retardant. The flammability pa rameters, including limiting oxygen index(LOI), rate of heat release (RHR), total heat release (THR), total mass loss (TML) and mass loss rate (MLR), yield of CO, yield of CO2, smoke production rate (SPR) and total smoke production (TSP) were recorded simultaneously. The thermal degradation of the FPUF samples was studied by TG. In troduction Due to its low density, well elasticity, sound-absorbing, air permeability, heat preservation performance, etc. flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) is widely used as furniture mat, seat cushion, various kinds of soft liner of laminated composite materials, as filtering materials, insulation materials, shock-proof materials, decoration materials, packaging materials and heat insulation materials, etc. The use of flexible polyurethane foam in house interiors, building or public transport constitutes a potential hazard for people in case of fire (1-2). The need for consumer protection, coupled with the new regulations and environmental concerns, increases the interest in flame-retardant treatments. Because borax has certain flame retardant effect, take away a lot of heat and water loss when heating, water loss after the powder will be covered on the surface of material, which will make it difficult to burn (3). In this work, flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) was tre ated with the borax, the flame retarding behavior of these samples was evaluated by cone calorimeter.