The effects of some transition-metal compounds on the flame retardance of poly(styrene-co-4-vinyl pyridine) and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-4-vinyl pyridine)

Several copolymers of both styrene and methyl methacrylate with 4-vinyl pyridine have been prepared and modified by coordination with the transition-metal compounds vanadium acetylacetonate (VO[acac](2)), vanadyl dichloride (VOCl2) and ferric chloride. The flame-retardant effects of these modifications have been assessed by measurements of limiting oxygen indices, by thermogravimetric analysis, and by examination of chars by scanning electron microscopy. Effects on mechanical properties have been assessed by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The limiting oxygen indices of the modified polymers are significantly higher than those of the parent polymers, and the production of considerable amounts of rigid, intumescent chars suggests predominantly condensed-phase mechanisms of flame retardance. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.