Comparison of the effects of phenyl dichlorophosphate modified and unmodified β-iron(III) oxide hydroxide on the thermal, combustion, and mechanical properties of ethylene–vinyl acetate/magnesium hydroxide composites

The objective of this study was to compare the impact of β-iron(III) oxide hydroxide [β-Fe(O)OH] and iron hydroxide modified with phenyl dichlorophosphate [β-Fe(O)OPDCP] on the thermal, combustion, and mechanical properties of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)/magnesium hydroxide (MH) composites. For the EVA/MH composites in combination with these iron-containing coadditives, β-Fe(O)OH and β-Fe(O)OPDCP both led to an increase in the thermal stability at higher temperatures. The results of microscale combustion calorimetry indicate that the peak heat-release rate, total heat release, and heat-release capacity, which are indicators of a material fire hazard, all decreased. Moreover, significant improvements were obtained in the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and Underwriters Laboratories 94 ratings. However, the EVA4 system reached a V-0 rating, whereas the EVA3 system reached a V-2 rating. The LOI values for the EVA3 and EVA4 systems were 35 and 39, respectively. A homogeneous and solid structure of char residue caused by β-Fe(O)OPDCP was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, because of the good interfacial compatibility between the fillers and the EVA matrix, the EVA4 system presented better mechanical properties than the EVA3 system. Thermogravimetric analysis/IR spectrometry showed that β-Fe(O)OPDCP reduced the combustible volatilized products of EVA/MH. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.