Preparation and Characterization of a Novel Anti-Dripping Flame Retardant PET/Phosphate Glass Nanocomposite

In the present study, the effect of phosphorus flame retardation (FR) agent, 2-carboxyl ethyl (phenyl) phosphinic acid (CEPPA), incorporating phosphate glass (Pglass) on the flame retardation and melt dripping behavior of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been investigated. The Pglass/FR-PET nanocomposites (P/FR-PET) were prepared by melt blending. The morphology, thermal degradation behavior and flamability of the nanocomposites were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index test (LOI) and vertical combustion test. SEM micrographs showed that as the increasing of Pglass contents the morphologies of Pglass in the FR-PET matrix changed from nanoparticles (50 nm to 100 nm) to network structures. The thermal stability of nanocomposites at high temperature increased with the addition of Pglass contents. Meanwhile, the LOI values of the nanocomposites increased from 33.6 for neat FR-PET to 36.1 for 50% P/FR-PET nanocomposites. The vertical combustion test revealed that the P/FR-PET nanocomposites had excellent anti-dripping flame retardant property which can achieve UL-94 V-0 level. The formation of the Pglass network-structured protective layer, which acted as a supporting and heat shield layer, must be crucial for the large reduction in melt dripping. In a word, the experimental results showed that the CEPPA in combination with Pglass has excellent flame retardation and anti-dripping effect.