Intumescent flame retardant: synthesis characterization and blending with polyolefins via reactive extrusion

Flame retardant polymers that may be considered for fire resistant cable jacketing polymers were developed. Synthesis of flame retardant compound in bulk amounts for extrusion process was held. Morphology, dispersion and particle size, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties of modified polymers were investigated and characterized for optimization of flame retredancy and mechanical properties. For imparting flame retardancy to polymer matrix, intumescent type flame retardant synthesized. Improved residual char producing recipe was examined for better intumescent barrier between polymer and heat source. Stearyl alcohol, Mannitol, and Pentaerythritol were tried as carbonic sources, and Phosphoruspentaoxide and Phosphoric promoter chemicals were tried for improved char residue. For better flame resistancy synergistic phenomenon was utilized by addition of nitrogen sources such as Melamine and Ethylenediamine. Polymer and additive were processed in extruder. Due to hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity difference between flame retardant additive and polymer matrix, compatibilizers were utilized for improving interfacial adhesion. Fragile nature of flame retardant compound under high temperatures and shear forces were another concern to access improved mechanical properties in extrusion process. Processing variables were optimized by experimental trial and error methodology