AbstractMicroencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (MMT‐MF‐APP) with a montmorillonite‐melamine formaldehyde resin coating layer was successfully prepared by in situ polymerization. The product was characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Water absorption analysis showed that the microencapsulation of APP with the MMT‐MF resin leads to a decrease in the particle's water solubility. The microcapsules also exhibited better mechanical properties and higher flame retardancy in the ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer with high vinyl acetate content (EVM) rubber compared with the common ammonium polyphosphate. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis results showed that the EVM composites with MMT‐MF‐APP and dipentaerythritol (DPER) as flame retardants possess higher thermal stability than those with common APP and DPER as flame retardants. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.