SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1983
STP34183S

Influence of Flame-Retardant Chemicals on the Gas-Phase Combustion of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)

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Flame-retardant chemicals are added to polymeric materials to reduce their flammability. This may be achieved chemically by altering the condensed-phase fuel producing reactions, or alternatively by inhibiting the gas-phase combustion reactions. A simple experimental technique for measuring the flammability limits of the gaseous fuel produced from poly(ethylene terephthalate) has been developed. By performing the experiments with the polymer and flame-retardant chemicals physically separated during the thermal decomposition processes, it has been possible to eliminate the condensed-phase inhibiting reactions in order to determine the effectiveness of the flame-retardant chemicals as gas-phase inhibitors. The results obtained by using this procedure have provided information not only on the relative effectiveness of the chemicals studied, but also on their mechanistic mode of operation.

In this way the effectiveness of bromine-containing compounds in inhibiting the gas-phase free radical reactions associated with the flaming combustion of poly(ethylene terephthalate) has been shown. Phosphorus-containing compounds without bromine present are only moderately effective as gas-phase active agents.

Author Information

Day, M
Division of Chemistry, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ont.
Suprunchuk, T
Division of Chemistry, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ont.
Wiles, DM
Division of Chemistry, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ont.
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Details
Developed by Committee: E05
Pages: 67–77
DOI: 10.1520/STP34183S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4882-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0260-6