Article | REF: AF6051 V1

Bio-based and Conventional Flame Retardants for Polymers

Authors: Marianne COCHEZ, Christelle VAGNER, Henri VAHABI, Michel FERRIOL

Publication date: January 10, 2018, Review date: October 1, 2020

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ABSTRACT

Polymers are omnipresent in all aspects of daily life thanks to their specific properties that let them outcompete traditional materials. However, they have a certain vulnerability to fire. Their fire resistance is therefore improved by incorporating fire retardant compounds. In this article, the different families of flame retardants used in the polymer industry are presented, with the exception of halogenated and phosphorus compounds. Their mechanisms of action are detailed, and some examples of application are given. A section is devoted to bio-based flame retardants, whose development forms a still modest, but rapidly expanding area of investigation.

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AUTHORS

  • Marianne COCHEZ: PhD in Materials Chemistry from Montpellier 2 University - Matériaux Optiques Photonique et Systèmes Laboratory EA 4423 University of Lorraine/CentraleSupélec, Metz, France.

  • Christelle VAGNER: PhD in Chemistry-Physics from the University of Lorraine - Laboratoire Matériaux Optiques Photonique et Systèmes EA 4423 Université de Lorraine/CentraleSupélec and Laboratoire MADIREL UMR 7246, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France.

  • Henri VAHABI: PhD in Chemistry and Physical Chemistry of Materials from Montpellier 2 University - Matériaux Optiques Photonique et Systèmes Laboratory EA 4423 University of Lorraine/CentraleSupélec, Metz, France.

  • Michel FERRIOL: Professeur des Universités Docteur d'Etat ès-Sciences, Université Claude Bernard-Lyon I - Matériaux Optiques Photonique et Systèmes Laboratory EA 4423 University of Lorraine/CentraleSupélec, Metz, France.

 INTRODUCTION

The industrial production of commodity polymers expanded rapidly in the 1960s, resulting in an increased risk of fire. To mitigate this, the industry first sought to reduce the flammability of polymer materials by adding flame-retardant compounds. Subsequently, the aim was also to reduce the amount of smoke produced and its toxicity, which is responsible for the majority of fire-related fatalities. Halogenated flame retardants proved their effectiveness. However, for environmental reasons (in particular, the dissemination of flame retardants in the ecosystem) and despite their remarkable performance, most halogenated flame retardants were blacklisted at European level in the early 2000s because of their intrinsic toxicity and the massive release of corrosive gases during combustion. This led to the research and development of new halogen-free solutions.

As the issues of sustainable development and climate change become ever more important, so too does the need to develop flame-retardant materials and systems that are broadly in line with a policy of sustainability.

Four major families currently dominate the flame retardant market, which in 2011 accounted for 1.9 million tonnes at a value of $4.8 billion. In terms of volume, their market shares break down roughly as follows:

  • 40% for mineral compounds ;

  • 30% for halogenated compounds (mainly brominated) ;

  • 15% for organic and inorganic phosphorus compounds ;

  • 15% for antimony oxide and other compounds (mainly nitrogenous).

The aim of this article is therefore to present the different types of flame retardants used or available for use in the polymer processing industry, and to look ahead to new sustainable solutions. Halogenated flame retardants have been excluded from the scope of this article, for the reasons set out above, and are the subject of an article published in Techniques de l'Ingénieur: [AM3237] . Phosphorus-based flame retardants are also the subject of another publication in Techniques de l'Ingénieur: [AF6047] ....

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Conventional and bio-based flame retardants for polymers