Plasticized Poly(vinyl chloride) Modified with Developed Fire Retardant System Based on Nanoclay and L-histidinium Dihydrogen Phosphate-Phosphoric Acid

• Main Authors: Kamila Sałasińska, Mateusz Barczewski, Maciej Celiński, Paweł Kozikowski, Rafał Kozera, Aleksandra Sodo, Jacek Mirowski, Stanisław Zajchowski, Jolanta Tomaszewska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: burning behavior; flame retardant; thermal stability; dynamic mechanical thermal analysis; cone calorimeter; smoke density chamber
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/17/2909

The current work assessed the burning behavior of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-P) modified with a two-component composition, consisting of L-histidinium dihydrogen phosphate-phosphoric acid (LHP) and nanoclay (n). The thermal and thermodynamical properties of the PVC-P containing from 10 to 30 wt% of the fire retardant system (FRS) were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) as well as by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). In contrast, fire behavior and smoke emission were studied with a cone calorimeter (CC) and smoke density chamber. The research was complemented by a microstructure analysis, using a scanning electron microscope, of the materials before and after burning CC tests. The effects were compared to those achieved for PVC-P, PVC-P with a commercially available fire retardant, the substrate used for the produced LHP, and the mixture of LHP and zinc borate, both of which contained the same share of nanoclay. Based on a notable improvement, especially in smoke suppression suggests that the n/LHP system may be a candidate fire retardant for decreasing the flammability of PVC-P.