Thermal Degradation Behavior of Poly(propylene) with a Novel Silicon‐Containing Intumescent Flame Retardant

Summary: A novel intumescent flame retardant (PSiNII), containing silicon, phosphorus and nitrogen, has been synthesized and incorporated into poly(propylene) (PP). The flame retardancy of PP/PSiNII, evaluated by the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value, can be enhanced up to 29.5 vol.‐% from 17.4 vol.‐% with 20% total loading amount of PSiNII. The thermal degradation behavior of PP/PSiNII are investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under nitrogen and air, and pressure differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC) under 1.5 MPa of oxygen. The PP/PSiNII‐3 degrades at 400 °C for different time, and the process is investigated by FTIR which indicates there is PO in the char. The morphologies of char formed at 400 °C for 10 min and after LOI test are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphological structure of the char exhibits the swollen cells in the inner and a smooth outer surface, which do good to the thermal properties and fire performance of PP. The thermal stability of PP is improved by incorporating PSiNII. Inner surface of PP/PSiNII‐3 after LOI test. magnified image Inner surface of PP/PSiNII‐3 after LOI test.