Wu QA, Qu BJ (2002a) A new synergist for intumescent flame retardant polypropylene. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science 20(4), 377-380. [In English]
Web link: Keywords:
silicotungistic acid; synergistic effect; intumescent flame retardant; polypropylene; graphite;
Abstract: The synergistic effects of silicotungstic acid (SiW12) as a catalyst in the phosphorus-nitrogen compounds AM-based intumescent flame-retardant (IFR) polypropylene (PP) were studied using the limiting oxygen index (LOI), the UL-94 test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), real time Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS). The LOI data show that SiW12 added to PP/IFR systems has a synergistic FR effect with an IFR additive named AM. The TGA data show that SiW12 apparently increases the thermal stability of the PP/IFR systems at high temperature (T > 500degreesC). The FTIR results provide the positive evidence that IFR can improve the thermal stability of PP and SiW12 can induce a higher rate of formation of phosphoric acid and its derivatives. The LRS measurements provide useful information on the carbonaceous microstructures. In short, a suitable amount of SiW12 (1.5 wt%) exerts synergistic effects with the IFR by increasing the LOI value and the thermal stability at high temperature and promoting the formation of charred structures on the burning PP surface.
