Preparation and Characterization of Core/Shell-like Intumescent Flame Retardant and its Application in Polypropylene

Abstract

With a shell of starch-melamine-formaldehyde (SMF) resin, core/shell-like ammonium polyphosphate (SMFAPP) is prepared by in situ polymerization, and is characterized by SEM, FTIR and XPS. The shell leads SMFAPP a high water resistance and flame retardance compared with APP in polypropylene (PP). The flame retardant action of SMFAPP and APP in PP are studied using LOI, UL 94 test and cone calorimeter, and their thermal stability is evaluated by TG. The flame retardancy and water resistance of the PP/SMFAPP composite at the same loading is better than that of the PP/APP composite. UL 94 ratings of PP/SMFAPP can reach V-0 at 30 wt% loading. The flame retardant mechanism of SMFAPP was studied by dynamic FTIR, TG and cone calorimeter, etc.

Keywords:

• Ammonium polyphosphate
• intumescent flame retardation
• microencapsulation
• PP
• thermal degradation

Acknowledgements

The financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 20776136), the program for New Century Excellent Talentsin University and National 11th Five-year Program (2006BAK01B03, 2006BAK06B06, 2006BAK06B07) are acknowledged.