A Novel Intumescent Flame‐Retardant Polyethylene System

Summary: A novel carbonization agent was synthesized and characterized. The flame retardancy and thermal behavior of a new IFR system with and without metal chelates for LDPE were investigated by LOI, UL‐94 test, and TGA. Metal chelates can remarkably improve the flame retardant performance of intumescent systems according to the tested results of LOI values and UL‐94 ratings because they can act both as inhibitors of radicals and as promoters of carbonization. The TG curves show that the amounts of residue of IFR‐PE/metal chelate systems increase compared to those of PE and IFR‐PE at temperatures ranging from 400 to 650 °C. The IFR‐PE/metal chelate system can obviously reduce the amounts of decomposing products at higher temperatures and promotes the formation of carbonaceous charred layers. A LOI value of 29.8 and UL‐94 V‐0 rating could be achieved when the synthesized carbonization agent, APP, MP, and CoOSA were added into LDPE. TG curves of PE, IFR‐PE, and IFR‐PE/metal chelate systems. magnified image TG curves of PE, IFR‐PE, and IFR‐PE/metal chelate systems.