This report examines a number of alternative FR technologies for each of the primary consumer products categories being considered: (a) Furniture and Furnishings, (b) Clothing textiles, and (c) Electronic and Electrical Equipment (televisions and computers both personal (desktop) and portable (laptop and notebooks). The source information from this is drawn from a wide range of industrial and academic sources in the UK, Europe and the US. Use is also made of the results of anFR Technology survey carried out during the…
Abstract: In this work, the rheological behavior of flame retardant polypropylene composites produced by two methods: 1) twin-screw extrusion and 2) ultrasound application combined with a static mixer die single-screw extrusion is analyzed in detail; results are related to the morphology of the composites. The flame retardant polymer composites are composed of a polypropylene matrix, an intumescent flame retardant system and functionalized clay. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the combination of the static mixer die and on-line sonication reduced particle size and
Filed under: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Assessment of extrusion-sonication process on flame retardant polypropylene by rheological characterization
Historically, there have been three primary considerations in the use of flame retardant (FR) additives for polymers: (1) Will it improve the fire performance of the polymer? (2) Does the formulation with the FR additive included maintain acceptable mechanical properties and appearance? (3) Is the cost acceptable? In recent years, it has become clear that a fourth factor must be considered: (4) Does the FR additive introduce unacceptable toxic products into the environment, the food supply, humans, or animals? Thus, it is clear that benefit–harm assessment must now be incorporated into proposals for using FR materials. In addition to the fire safety benefits, the levels of human and animal exposure and the potential health or environmental harm that may ensue should be considered. This chapter considers both the potential benefit and harm of FR chemicals across their life cycle. Three cases of FR additives in furniture, thermal insulation, and plastic television housings are used to exemplify strategies to weigh fire safety benefits against health and environmental harm. It also offers some guidance on moving to alternative strategies that maintain fire safety without creating toxicity problems.
Flame retardancy of polymers 