2008 Volume 20 Issue 1 Pages 27-35
The thermal degradation and the flame retardancy of ABS and PC/ABS alloy were studied. Few studies on the flame retardancy of polymer alloy have been reported although polymer alloy is widely used for its excellent perfomance. In this study, the flame retardancy was analyzed through their thermal degradation and other measurement. A halogenated compound was effective for ABS because the major scission product was styrene, generated from the polystyrene(PS)matrix in ABS. On the other hand, some phosphorous compounds and metal‐organic complexes gave excellent results for the PC/ABS alloy. The total heat fluxes were restrained by adding these compounds and complexes, and a carbonaceous layer was observed on the surface after burning. TCP/Fe(acac)3 was the most effective in restraining burning and the fire extinguished after 10s for PC/ABS. The flame retardancy of polymeric alloy was determined by two causes:one was the contribution of the major scission compounds that accelerate burning, and the other was the effect of the carbonaceous layer on the polymer surface. Therefore, to achieve effective flame retardancy, the generation of the maior scission compounds should be restrained and further a catalyst by which one of the polymers changes into a carbonic compound must be added.
