Phosphorus-Containing Flame Retardants For Y2K And Beyond

摘要

Phosphorus based flame retardants (FR) serve as packaged forms of polyphosphoric acid (PPA). In contact with suitable polymers or other added formulated ingredients, PPA functions as a dehydrating agent that promotes char formation in the material of construction to be protected from a burning environment (see Chart 1). Application profile requirements as well as the polymer type dictate compatibility and optimum effectiveness of the assortment of P-based FR's offered to the market. In this brief introduction to the "world of P-based FR's" three principal types of packaged "char-forming" products are described. Clariant Corporation offers these under the Exolit~(～R) tradename and list as AP (ammonium polyphosphate - based), RP (red phosphorus - based) and OP (organo-phosphorus - based) headers.