The effects of inorganic borates on the burning of PVC

The flammability of flexible poly(vinyl chloride) sheet containing barium, calcium and zinc borates, alone and in combination with antimony oxide, was measured by BS2782‐508C and ASTM D2863. A statistical comparison of these tests was made. Barium and calcium borates, with or without antimony oxide, had little or no effect on flame retardancy, but zinc had a synergistic effect with antimony oxide. The value of these inorganic borates in reducing smoke is compared using the Stanton Redcroft F.T.B. Unit, an attachment of the manufacturer's Critical Oxygen Index (C.O.I.) test. This test consists of passing the smoke from the C.O.I, test directly into a chamber where the maximum smoke density is measured using a light source and photocell assembly. Formulations containing zinc borate and antimony oxide gave the least smoke. The advantages of zinc borate in flame retardant poly(vinyl chloride) were found to be offset by inferior mechanical and electrical properties and heat stability, unless small amounts of epoxidised oil were added. The degree of hydration of the zinc borate was not critical.