Effects of magnesium oxide/hydroxide on flammability and smoke production tendency of polystyrene

✍ Scribed by M.M. Hirschler; T.R. Thevaranjan

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1985
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 361 KB
• Volume: 21
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0014-3057
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-3057(85)90193-4

✦ Synopsis

Investigations have been carried out on the effects of magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide on the thermal degradation of polystyrene. The results have been correlated with the effects of the additives on the flammability of and smoke production from the polymer. Both metal compounds are extremely efficient smoke suppressants but neither is of much interest as a flame retardant on its own. The flammability of the system can be decreased by the use of brominated additives, but at the expense of a very heavy increase in smoke production. Ternary additive systems, containing also a different metal oxide, can be used to obtain a significant degree of flame retardance while retaining a high measure of smoke suppression. Interpretations are given of the action of the additives on the degradation of the polymer.