New Flame Retardants Consortium: Flame Retardant Mechanism of Silica. Final Report.
New Flame Retardants Consortium: Flame Retardant
Mechanism of Silica. Final Report.
(2147 K)
Gilman, J. W.; Kashiwagi, T.; Nyden, M. R.; Harris, R.
H., Jr.
NISTIR 6357; 28 p. June 1999.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900.
Website: http://www.ntis.gov
Order number: PB99-144370
Keywords:
flame retardants; fire retardants; silica
Abstract:
The results of a two year research project carried out
with the "New Flame Retardants Consortium" are reported.
This investigation into the flame retardant mechanism of
silica gel and other forms of silica has determined that
the silica FR mechanism is comprised of two main
effects. The first is a reduction in the transport rate
of the thermal degradation products by dramatically
increasing the viscosity of the polymer melt due to
hydrogen bonding of surface silanol groups and
entanglement of polymer chains within the large pores of
silica gel. Second is the reduction in thermal
diffusivity of the sample near the surface due to
gradual accumulation of silica, which acts as a thermal
insulation layer.
