Effect of halogenless flame retardants on the thermal properties, flammability, and fire hazard of cross-linked EVM/NBR rubber blends.

This paper presents the results of investigating the thermal stability, flammability, and fire hazard of cross-linked EVM/NBR blends unfilled and filled with halogenless flame-retardant compounds such as melamine cyanurate or magnesium hydroxide. The thermal analysis of the blends was carried out in the atmosphere of air. The activation energy of the composite destruction was determined by two non-isothermal methods: Flynn-Wall-Ozawa's and Kissinger's methods. The flammability of the composites obtained was determined by the method of oxygen index and on the basis of their combustion in air. The fire hazard of the vulcanizates investigated was determined with the use of a cone calorimeter and on the basis of toxicometric parameters W. The test results have shown that the flame retardants used increase the thermal stability of the cross-linked blends and decrease their flammability, and thereby allow one to obtain self-extinguishing or non-flammable polymeric materials. The cross-linked EVM/NBR blends filled with these flame-retardant compounds are characterized by good mechanical properties and reduced fire hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]