Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

High impact polystyrene (HIPS) composites containing both Decabromodiphenyl oxide (DBDPO) or 1, 2-bis (pentabromophenyl) ethane (DBDPE)-antimony (Sb2O3) and Montmorillonite (MMT, pristine clay)- Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (C16BrN) flame retarding packages were prepared by one-step melt blending in one-pot. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Underwriters Laboratory Vertical Burning Test (UL 94 V) and cone calorimeter tests have been performed to characterize the morphology and combustion properties of the flame retardant composites. Results show that HIPS-based nanocomposites with intercalation structure in the presence of conventional FR agent of DBDPO or DBDPE can be obtained, and much improved fire retardancy displayed by the notable reduction in heat release rates is achieved due to the good synergistic effect between MMT-C16BrN and DBDPO or DBDPE-antimony. Possible explanations regarding the synergism were proposed. This effect provides evidence for the reduction use of halogen-contained flame-retardants in one composite system for the purpose of lowering the production cost and lessening unwanted environment effects and is very meaningful for the development of green ecological polymer-based flame retardant composites.