Synergistic Effects of Nano-BaWO4 on Intumescent Flame-Retarded Polypropylene

Melamine salt of 5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane-2-oxide-2-hydroxide (IFR100) was prepared and used as an intumescent flame retardant in flame retarded polypropylene (PP). Nano-BaWO4 was manufactured and incorporated into the PP/IFR100 composites as a synergistic agent at different proportions. The synergistic effects of nano-BaWO4 were studied by limited oxygen index (LOI) test, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and digital photos. The TGA results show that nano-BaWO4 increases the char yields of the PP/IFR100 system at 600C. The Raman spectra, XRD and digital photos results provide evidence that nano-BaWO4 can efficiently promote the formation of charred layers.