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Fire retardancy mechanisms of arylphosphates in polycarbonate (PC) and PC/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene

The key role of decomposition temperature

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Abstract

The pyrolysis of polycarbonate (PC) and PC/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) with and without arylphosphates (triphenylphosphate TPP, resorcinol-bis(diphenyl phosphate) RDP and bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate) BDP) is investigated by thermal analysis as key to understanding the flame retardancy mechanisms and corresponding structure–property relationships. The correspondence between the decomposition temperature range of arylphosphates and PC is pointed out as prerequisite for the occurrence of the reaction between arylphosphate and structures that are typical for the beginning of PC decomposition. Resulting cross-linking enhances charring in the condensed phase and competes with the alternative release of phosphate in the gas phase and thus flame inhibition. Flame inhibition was identified as the main flame retardancy mechanism. The additional condensed phase mechanisms optimise the performance.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Bayer MaterialScience AG, Dormagen, Germany, for the material support and in particular Dr. V. Taschner, Dr. T. Eckel and Dr. D. Wittmann. Special thanks also go to Dr. U. Braun and H. Bahr for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany

    Birgit Perret, Kristin H. Pawlowski & Bernhard Schartel

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  1. Birgit Perret
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  2. Kristin H. Pawlowski
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  3. Bernhard Schartel
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Correspondence to Bernhard Schartel.

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Perret, B., Pawlowski, K.H. & Schartel, B. Fire retardancy mechanisms of arylphosphates in polycarbonate (PC) and PC/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. J Therm Anal Calorim 97, 949–958 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-009-0379-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-009-0379-7

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