Flammability of Polymer Clay Nanocomposites Consortium Final Report

摘要

Polymer layered-silicate (PLS) nanocomposites have the unique combination of reduced flammability and improved physical properties. However, the details of the fire retardant mechanism are not well understood. In October of 1998 a NIST-industrial consortium was formed to study the flammability of these unique materials. This report covers the research results from the second year of the program. The goals for the second year were: 1) to develop an understanding of the formation of the clay-reinforced carbonaceous char, and 2) to explore synergistic, co-additive, flame retardants with the objective of further reducing the flammability of the nanocomposites. These goals were chosen by the consortium members to both enhance our fundamental understanding of how PLS act as flame retardants (goal 1) and to explore combinations of PLS with conventional flame retardants (goal 2) to supply flame retardant solutions useful in industrial applications.