Flame-retardant and thermal properties of highly efficient water-resistant intumescent flame-retardant polypropylene composites.

The more efficient and hydrophobic modificated ammonium polyphosphate (M-APP) and charring agent (M-CA) were prepared based on sol–gel method, and they were used in the preparation of water-resistant and flame-retardant polypropylene (PP) composites. The results showed that the contact angles of M-APP and M-CA were 135.11° and 137.89°, respectively. The flame-retardant and thermal properties of the PP composites were also studied. The results showed that the flame retardancy of PP loaded with 30 mass% intumescent flame retardant (M-APP/M-CA = 3:1) was significantly increased. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) reached 36.8% and passed UL-94 V-0. The peak heat release rate and total heat release of the PP composite decreased from 1011.77 to 134.43 kW·m−2 and 100.58 to 6.86 MJ·m−2, respectively. The peak smoke production rate and total smoke release decreased from 0.13 to 0.0056 m2·s−1 and 1453.09 to 74.82 m2·m−2. The PP composite with M-APP/M-CA = 3:1 also exhibited excellent water resistance, and it could still reach UL-94 V-0 after soaking in 70 ℃ water for 168 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]