Characteristics and Analysis of Non-Flammable Polymers

In recent years there has been increasing demand for fire retardant versions of a range of plastics. Applications include fire retardancy in vehicles, aircraft, manned space vehicles, marine and industrial applications such as electronics, a wide range of applications in the building industry, including roofing and interior walls, and domestic applications such as furniture, clothes, bedding, upholstery and electrical goods. Fire retardancy in polymers can be achieved in one of three ways: Firstly there are forms of polymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, which are intrinsically fire retardant. The second type are rendered fire retardant by the inclusion of a suitable additive in the formulation. These include additives based on bromine, antimony, nitrogen phosphorus and silicon. An essential requirement for fire retardant polymers to be used in enclosed spaces is that they do not release any toxic products upon combustion. In this respect, antinomy-containing additives are going out of favour due to the release of toxic antimony volatiles upon combustion. Thirdly, introduction of intumescence into polymers with suitable compounds is being increasingly used as a means of achieving fire retardancy in polymers. There are a plethora of methods used to assess fire retardancy in polymers. These are discussed and summarised in this book. The book will be of interest not only to those working in industry but also to design engineers and producers in the polymer fabrication industries.