Flame retardancy mechanisms of poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) containing microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate and melamine cyanurate

The flame retardancy mechanisms of poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) (PBT) containing microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (MAPP) and melamine cyanurate (MC) were investigated via pyrolysis analysis (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), real-time Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), TG-IR), cone calorimeter test, combustion tests (limited oxygen index (LOI), UL-94), and residue analysis (scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). A loading of 20wt% MC to PBT gave the PBT composites an LOI of 26%, V-2 classification in UL-94 test and a high peak heat release rate (HRR) in cone calorimeter test. Adding APP to PBT/MC composites did not improve their flame retardancy. In comparison with the addition of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to PBT, MAPP with silica gel shell and MAPP with polyurethane shell both promoted the intumescent char-forming and improved the flame retardancy of PBT through different mechanisms in the presence of MC. These two halogen-free PBT composites with V-0 classification according to UL-94 test were obtained; their LOI were 32 and 33%, respectively. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.