Article | REF: AM3237 V2

Flame Retardants for polymeric materials

Authors: Laurent FERRY, José-Marie LOPEZ-CUESTA

Publication date: October 10, 2016, Review date: October 23, 2020

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ABSTRACT

Flame retardants are chemicals meant to improve the reaction-to-fire of polymers and composites, and enable their use in conformity with fire safety regulations. The development of flame retardants is determined by their specific action on flammability, their ability to avoid degradation of other functional properties, and their environmental and toxicological impacts. This article details the problematics of polymer flammability, the mechanisms of action of the different classes of flame retardants, and synergistic effects. Finally, environmental issues, particularly those connected to the life cycle of polymers are addressed.

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 INTRODUCTION

A large number of RF flame retardants are available, enabling polymeric materials incorporating them to be used in applications that may represent a fire hazard. The incorporation of RFs is designed to satisfy standardized fire reaction tests. RFs are often adapted to the type of use of the object ultimately manufactured, and not linked to intrinsic thermodynamic values. Initial concerns on the part of manufacturers and legislators focused on the effectiveness of flame retardants in terms of intrinsic performance in terms of reaction to fire, smoke emission, intrinsic toxicity of RF and control of changes in polymer properties linked to their use. Since the 1990s, environmental and toxicological aspects have played an increasingly important role in the development, use and, more generally, the life cycle of flame-retardant polymer materials. These issues have led to the withdrawal of certain types of FR and encouraged the emergence of new solutions. Due to the considerable growth of flame-retardant plastics and composites in the waste stream, particularly in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), specific regulations have emerged to control their recycling. Similarly, the use of new flame-retardant systems including nanoparticles in waste plastics has recently led to research into adapting incinerators to new formulations of flame-retardant materials.

After presenting basic data on the reaction to fire of polymers and their main degradation pathways, general methods for improving their reaction to fire are discussed in this article. The various families of flame retardants are described, together with their mechanisms of action and possible synergies. Environmental and toxicological aspects are discussed at the end of the article.

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KEYWORDS

polymers   |   fire retardancy


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RF flame retardants for polymeric materials