SYNERGISTIC FLAME RETARDANCY OF EPOXY/MELAMINE PHOSPHATE-BORATE/MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE COMPOSITES.

The novel synergistic flame retardant melamine phosphate-borate/magnesium hydroxide (MPB/MH) nanocomposites have been prepared by in-situ method and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX). Effects of reaction time and temperature on the MH crystalline size were investigated. The flame retardancy mechanisms of epoxide resin/MPB/MH (EP/MPB/MH) were proposed based on the elemental and structural analysis of the Fire residue, combining with the limited oxygen index (OI) and thermal analysis (TG) analysis. The successive dehydration and decomposition of boracic acid, melamine polyphosphate and MH result in both gas and condensed phases flame retardancy mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]