Flame retardancy of polymers

Fundamental study on the fire behavior of silicone composites: thermal stability, cohesion residues, and calorimeter tests-  The PhD thesis has been successfully defended in Alès – France, February 25, 2011- Siska Hamdani Devarennes

 Summary:
This PhD work has been devoted to the study of the thermal behavior of silicone composites. A preliminary review on the flame retardancy of silicone reported numerous works devoted to the development of thermally-resistant silicone composites or silicone polymers used as flame retardant agents in other organic polymer matrices. The first part of our experimental work highlighted the key role of macromolecular chain immobilization, through the synergy of platinum and silica, in generating high ceramized residue content after thermal gravimetry. The second part of this work was dedicated to the study of silicone composites filled with either calcium or aluminum-based fillers. The filler nature (non hydrated, water releasing or hydroxyl groups on the surface), the morphology and the particle size strongly influenced the thermal behavior of silicone composites. The analyses on composites residues after extreme pyrolysis showed that the formation of new crystalline structures and the absence of water release favored the residue ceramization. The investigation on fire reaction of silicone composites finally granted their outstanding properties to the matrix thermal stability and/or a barrier layer formation. For more information, you can contact: 

Jose-Marie.Lopez-Cuesta@mines-ales  or  siska.hamdani@mines-alès.fr

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