Thermal stability and flammability of organic polymers

Abstract

Attempts have been made to assess the importance of the thermal instability of organic polymers as a factor governing their flammability. In general, however, there is little correlation between the susceptibility of polymers to undergo thermal decomposition and the readiness with which these materials burn. Although certain additives which exhibit flame-retardant activity do raise the temperature at which polymers start to break down, the ability of these compounds to increase polymer stability makes no appreciable contribution to their inhibiting action on the combustion of polymeric materials. Nevertheless studies of the thermal behaviour of additives incorporated into polymers can provide useful information aboút the interactions which occur between polymers and additives during the combustion process.