Properties of high impact polystyrene flame retarded by magnesium hydroxide and modified with triblock copolymer styrene/butadiene/styrene

Mechanical, combustible and smoke properties of two series of high impact polystyrene (PS-HI) compositions differing in the content of flame retardant [Mg(OH)2] and amount of a modifier (SBS) mentioned in the title (Table 1). In the first series of experiments [50 wt. % of Mg(OH)2] it has been found that modification with 15 wt. % of SBS causes significant increase in impact strength (U) (Fig. 1) and decrease in maximum strength (Ru), Young modulus (E) and hardness (HK) (Fig. 2-4). Also oxygen index (OI) deteriorated (Fig. 5). Decreases in values of exposure (S) and illumination at fourth minute (E4) (Fig. 6 and 7) show the increased smoke evolution. In the other series of experiments Mg(OH)2 content was increased up to 55 wt. % and various amounts of SBS were used (4.5, 13.5 or 22.5 wt. %). It was observed that U and Ru increased with SBS content increase (Fig. 8 and 9) while E and HK lowered clearly (Fig. 10 and 11). Increase in modifier amount positively influenced OI (Fig. 12) and improved smoke properties (Fig. 13 and 14). Flame retardant used caused that the plastic did not melt and did not flow as burning drops. None of the samples was burnt despite small thickness (5 mm).