Solid-state NMR Identifying the Chemistry in Multicomponent Flame-retarded Polyolefin Systems

Understanding of the interaction in multicomponent flame-retarded polymeric system is crucial to obtain the best performance at the possible lowest load of additives. In this work, polyolefine based systems are investigated by solid state NMR and cone calorimetry. As a polymer matrix thermoplastic elastomer based on styrene (TPE-S) was chosen. Different combination of additives was investigated in order to identify the chemistry occurring during the pyrolysis. As additives aluminium diethylphosphinate (AlPi), ammonium polyphosphate, zinc borate (ZB), poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO), magnesium hydroxide (MH) and dimethyl- methylvinyl siloxane (Si) were used. Fire residues remained after the cone calorimeter test were analyzed by solid state NMR (31P, 27Al, 13C, 11B, 29Si). The formation of different phosphates and aluminates was identified, indicating the chemical interaction between the additives. Detailed investigation delivered meaningful insights into the chemistry controlling flame retardancy.