As a part of a series of studies on effects of Bromine (Br) and Phosphorus (P) on the flame retardancy of PET fibers, this paper is focused on the thermal analytical observations of PET fabric treated with Br and P compounds in comparison with the untreated PET fabric to see how the effects of Br and P as well as of the combination of both elements will be reflected in the thermal analytical behaviors in the process of the thermal decomposition of PET fibers.
The results are summarized as follows: Glass transition temperature (Tg), crystallization temperature (Tc) and melting point of crystallized polymer (Tm
2) showed considerable reductions with increase in Br and P contents. Especially, larger reductions were observed with those having the synergistic effect. Comparing such relationship of the depression of Tg, Tc and Tm
2 to Br and P contents with that observed between increase in the LOI values and Br and P contents described in the previous paper, such tendency that the higher is the content of Br, P or Br+P, the larger the depression of Tg, Tc and Tm
2 and the higher the LOI value was observed for each sample. The addition of Br, P and the both to PET fabric further showed significant effects on the heats of crystallization and melting of the crystallized polymer. On the other hand, TG curves gave some informations concerning effects of Br, P and combination of the both on the thermal decomposition behaviors of PET fibers, i.e., considerable changes were observed for the thermal degradation onset temperature with incorporation of Br and/or P. Amounts of residues obtained after the thermal decomposition increased by addition of Br or P and even more in combination of the both showing the synergistic effect. In conclusion, the results obtained from the thermal analytical observations carried out this time suggest that Br and P applied chemically on PET fabric were sufficiently incorporated in the PET molecules by thermofix and participate in glass transition, crystallization and melting of crystallized PET polymer. Moreover, the synergistic effect of Br and P is reflected in the thermal properties as well as in the thermal degradation behavior.
The above results lead us to deduce that not only P but Br known as a radical terminator in the gas phase acts also in the solid phase to contribute to the flame retardancy of PET fibers.
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