Combustion Behavior and Thermal Oxidative Degradation of EVA Containing Intumescent Flame Retardant

Microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (VAPP) with poly(vinyl alcohol)- melamine-formaldehyde (VMF) shell was introduced in ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) to improve its flame retardancy. Due to the presence of VMF shell, VAPP shows better compatibility, flame retardancy and water resistance compared with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) in EVA. The flammability of EVA and its flame-retarded composites was studied by LOI, UL-94 and cone calorimeter. The composite containing 40 wt% VAPP can pass V-0 in UL-94 test, and hot water treatment shows few effects on its LOI value and UL-94 rating. The cone results indicated that the use of VAPP in EVA can significantly decrease heat release rate and total heat release compared with APP. To understand the mechanism of action of VAPP, dynamic FTIR experiments were carried out on EVA and EVA/VAPP composites. Based on above studies, the flame retardant mechanism of VAPP in EVA composite is discussed.