Introduction to Flame Retardancy and Polymer Flammability

This chapter gives introduction to the problem of fire hazard of polymeric materials and discusses general approaches to the flame retardancy of polymers. Halogen-containing and phosphorus-containing materials are the most commonly used classes of chemicals, which show flame retardant efficiency in polymers, because they either interact with the flame or with the burning polymer. Metal hydroxides, which also often applied for the flame retardancy of polymers primarily show cooling effect due to water evolution into the flame. Inorganic borates and various silicons are applied as co-additives which help improving thermal protective layer build on the surface of the polymer due to the action of the main flame retardant. The mechanism of action of flame retardants and synergism between different flame retardants is discussed in connection with the thermal decomposition of the polymers.