Self-extinguishing polymer nanocomposites

Self-extinguishing PMMA/Clay nanocomposites with conventional flame retardant agents, decabromodiphenyl oxide (DB) and antimony trioxide (AO) have been prepared by melt blending using Brabender. The combustion behavior was first investigated by subjecting slabs of the polymer to UL-94 V0 testing. We found that the polymers with only the retardant agents or the clay could not pass. On the other hand all polymers with both components were self-extinguishing. DMA results show that the introduction of 5 wt% clay improves PMMA bending modulus by 28 % and increases Tg by 8 °C. the addition of clay can effectively avoid dripping during burning test. Based on the cone calorimeter data, the general mechanism is proposed that the synergy between the char formation promoted by the clay in condense phase and free radical capture in gas phase due to the DB and AO makes the material become self-extinguishing.