Flame retardancy and its mechanism of polymers flame retarded by DBDPE/Sb2O3

The flammability characterization and thermal composition of polymers flame retarded by decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) and antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) were studied by cone calorimeter and thermogravimetry (TG). The results show that ABS/DBDPE/Sb2O3 has the similar flammability parameters and thermal composition curves to ABS/DBDPO/Sb2O3. It suggests that DBDPE/Sb2O3 has the similar flame retardant behavior to DBDPO/Sb2O3. The heat release rate (HRR) and the effect heat combustion (EHC) curves of polymers flame retarded by DBDPE/Sb2O3 all decrease, but the mass loss rate (MLR) curve slightly increase. It shows that the decrease of HRR is not due to the increase of char formation ratio but the generation of incombustible gases. The major flame retardant mechanism of DBDPE/Sb2O3 is gas phase flame retardant mechanism. Increasing content of Sb2O3 in DBDPE/Sb2O3 can improve the flame retardant property and thermal stability of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Sb2O3 has a good synergistic effect with DBDPE.